"Ask not what your country can do for you," President John F. Kennedy famously entreated his fellow Americans in his 1961 inaugural address before adding the famous chaismus, "ask what you can do for your country." In the age of the pandemic, it is often unclear the best way to serve one's country. With the airborne contagion of COVID-19 having already claimed 3.8 million lives worldwide, the best way to serve one's nation is to simply stay home. Here arises the conflict for Olympic athletes. On the one hand, they are compelled to train to maximize their chances of securing national glory on the global stage. On the other hand, simply stepping out their front doors endangers not only their personal health, but that of the very nation they so proudly represent. In India, these concerns are keenly felt. In the midst of its inconceivably devastating second wave, India reached a grim milestone on June 10 with over 6,000 deaths from COVID-19, a one-day record for any country. In the midst of the ongoing tragedy, the national table tennis team is doing its best to prepare for Tokyo. Leading the charge are former national champions Manika Batra and Sharath Kamal Achanta (pictured), competing in singles and mixed doubles. Batra will be playing in her second Olympics, after her 2016 debut in Rio. The veteran Achanta made his Olympic debut in Athens 2004. Tokyo will represent his fourth appearance. Rounding out India's Olympic squad are Sathiyan Gnanasekaran and Sutirtha Mukherjee, who will both be making their Olympic debuts this summer. In order to prepare India's Olympic team, the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) organized a training camp in Sonepat, from June 20 to July 5. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, many players are taking the cautious route and staying put. Gnanasekaran, an engineer by trade, has found the risk-reward ratio to be tilting toward the former. Therefore, the reigning national champion has decided to forgo the camp and stay home in Chennai. "My coach is here and I have a good sparring partner in Anirban Ghosh," explained Gnanasekaran. "Also, there is a risk in travelling at the moment. So, I would prefer staying put and prepare for the Olympics. The preparations have not been ideal due to COVID but we need to make the best use of whatever time we have." For India, the best chance to medal comes in the mixed doubles event, making its Olympic debut this summer. Given the worsening pandemic, however, it has been unclear whether Batra and Achanta would be able to train together before the games. After initially signaling she would prioritize her health and safety, Batra has agreed to participate in the training camp. "She has said yes to attending the camp, putting the country first," said TTFI spokesman MP Singh. "We appreciate that. Our best chance is in mixed doubles so Manika and Sharath’s preparation becomes very important. I hope they get a lot out of the camp." The patriotic pressure is palpable in Singh's pronouncement. With their largest-ever Olympic table tennis contingent, India's hopes are high for what the "Fab Four" may be able to do for their country. In order to preserve such hopes, however, we hope first and foremost for the safety and well-being of all involved.

More at The Hindu