As the entire nation is basking in the glory of India's best-ever medal haul at Olympics, including a gold medal in athletics at Tokyo Games 2020, a piece of&nbsp;news went viral. Pinky Karmakar, who was once an Olympic torchbearer, is currently working as a daily wage labourer in Assam.&nbsp;

On one hand, Indian athletes received a grand welcome with cash rewards, cars, jobs etc upon their arrival from Tokyo, Pinky Karmakar opened up about struggles she has been facing as her "dreams have been shattered".&nbsp;

Pinky Karmakar represented India as a torchbearer in the 2012 London Olympics, where India bagged a total of six medals — Sushil Kumar (Silver), Saina Nehwal (Bronze), Mary Kom (Bronze), Vijay Kumar (Silver), Gagan Narang (Bronze), Yogeshwar Dutt (Bronze).&nbsp;

IN PICS |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-bhavani-devis-efforts-to-neeraj-chopras-gold-historic-firsts-and-some-shining-moments-of-india-at-tokyo-olympics-404251">Historic firsts and some shining moments of India at Tokyo Olympic</a>

During an interaction with ANI, Pinky Karmakar said, "I represented India as a torchbearer in the 2012 London Olympics. I work as a daily wager at a tea garden in Dibrugarh."

"I didn't get enough facilities from the government. I don't understand why. I was selected by UNICEF. My dreams have been shattered," she added.&nbsp;

The then 17-year-old was studying in Class 10 when she represented India at the London Olympics. She used to run UNICEF's Sports for Development (S4D) program in her school and teach about 40 women and was also an advocate of adult literacy.

"When I was 17-year-old and was studying in Class 10, I used to run a program in my school and teach about women there. It got sponsored by UNICEF," she said.

IN PICS | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/with-three-gold-medals-in-hockey-heres-how-india-fared-at-olympics-games-before-independence-404310">With three gold medals in hockey, here's how India fared at Olympics Games before independence</a>

She further added, "My family is facing several financial constraints due to which I cannot afford several sports equipment. If I would have got enough facilities, I would also have had represented India in Olympics."

Pinky is currently working as a daily wage labourer at Borborooah tea garden. She is helping her family by supporting them financially as a daily wage labourer at a tea garden in her district.

Indian contingent returned from the recently concluded Tokyo Olympics, where India marked its best-ever finish with seven medals, including a gold by javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra. &nbsp;&nbsp;

With an 87.58 metres throw, Neeraj scripted history after winning a gold medal. It was India's first athletics gold medal at the Olympics Games. He became only the second individual Olympic gold medalist for India after Abhinav Bindra won shooting gold in 2008.&nbsp;

Neeraj Chopra's interview:

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IN PICS |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/photos/india-among-countries-with-highest-cash-rewards-for-tokyo-olympic-medalists-check-out-the-complete-list-402017">India among countries with highest cash-rewards for Olympic medalists - Check out the complete list</a>&nbsp;

For India, the medal winners are Neeraj Chopra (Gold), Ravi Kumar (Silver), Mirabai Chanu (Silver), Bajrang Punia (Bronze), PV Sindhu (Bronze), Lovlina Borgohain (Bronze) and the men's hockey team (Bronze).&nbsp;

As the entire nation is basking in the glory of India's best-ever medal haul at Olympics, including a gold medal in athletics at Tokyo Games 2020, a piece of news went viral.

As the entire nation is basking in the glory of India's best-ever medal haul at Olympics, including a gold medal in athletics at Tokyo Games 2020, a piece of news went viral. Pinky Karmakar, who was once an Olympic torchbearer, is currently working as a daily wage labourer in Assam. On one hand, Indian athletes received a grand welcome with cash rewards, cars, jobs etc upon their arrival from Tokyo, Pinky Karmakar opened up about struggles she has been facing as her "dreams have been shattered". Pinky Karmakar represented India as a torchbearer in the 2012 London Olympics, where India bagged a total of six medals — Sushil Kumar (Silver), Saina Nehwal (Bronze), Mary Kom (Bronze), Vijay Kumar (Silver), Gagan Narang (Bronze), Yogeshwar Dutt (Bronze). IN PICS | Historic firsts and some shining moments of India at Tokyo Olympic During an interaction with ANI, Pinky Karmakar said, "I represented India as a torchbearer in the 2012 London Olympics. I work as a daily wager at a tea garden in Dibrugarh." "I didn't get enough facilities from the government. I don't understand why. I was selected by UNICEF. My dreams have been shattered," she added. The then 17-year-old was studying in Class 10 when she represented India at the London Olympics. She used to run UNICEF's Sports for Development (S4D) program in her school and teach about 40 women and was also an advocate of adult literacy. "When I was 17-year-old and was studying in Class 10, I used to run a program in my school and teach about women there. It got sponsored by UNICEF," she said. IN PICS | With three gold medals in hockey, here's how India fared at Olympics Games before independence She further added, "My family is facing several financial constraints due to which I cannot afford several sports equipment. If I would have got enough facilities, I would also have had represented India in Olympics." Pinky is currently working as a daily wage labourer at Borborooah tea garden. She is helping her family by supporting them financially as a daily wage labourer at a tea garden in her district. Indian contingent returned from the recently concluded Tokyo Olympics, where India marked its best-ever finish with seven medals, including a gold by javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra. With an 87.58 metres throw, Neeraj scripted history after winning a gold medal. It was India's first athletics gold medal at the Olympics Games. He became only the second individual Olympic gold medalist for India after Abhinav Bindra won shooting gold in 2008. Neeraj Chopra's interview: × IN PICS | India among countries with highest cash-rewards for Olympic medalists - Check out the complete list For India, the medal winners are Neeraj Chopra (Gold), Ravi Kumar (Silver), Mirabai Chanu (Silver), Bajrang Punia (Bronze), PV Sindhu (Bronze), Lovlina Borgohain (Bronze) and the men's hockey team (Bronze).

Pinky Karmakar, once an Olympic torchbearer now works as a daily wage labourer in Assam

US viewership for the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, a competition clouded by the COVID-19 pandemic, dropped to about half the audience for the London Games in 2012, according to data released by Comcast Corp's NBCUniversal on Monday. 
 
The event averaged 15.5 million primetime viewers on the NBC broadcast network and digital platforms including the Peacock streaming service, the company said in a statement. That represented the smallest audience for the Summer Games since NBC began broadcasting them in 1988. 
 
The total slumped below the 31.1 million viewers who watched the Summer Olympics in London via TV and online outlets, and 26.7 million who tuned in for the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro, an NBC spokesman said.

IN PICS |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-bhavani-devis-efforts-to-neeraj-chopras-gold-historic-firsts-and-some-shining-moments-of-india-at-tokyo-olympics-404251">Historic firsts and some shining moments of India at Tokyo Olympics</a>

Comparisons with previous Olympic Games are imperfect given the different times zones, the pandemic and fewer streaming options in the past. The Tokyo events, delayed a year due to the global health crisis, were held without spectators and offered less of the usual spectacle. 
 
Executives at NBCUniversal have said they expect to turn a profit despite the ratings declines. The competitions still pulled in the biggest audiences on television when they aired, making them attractive showcases for advertisers. 
 
"There is nothing more powerful in media than the 17 straight days of Olympics dominance," NBC Sports Chairman Pete Bevacqua said in a statement. "Despite being thrown a series of curveballs over the last 18 months, the power of the Olympics delivered to audiences across the various platforms of NBCU has proven itself unequaled."

IN PICS |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/with-three-gold-medals-in-hockey-heres-how-india-fared-at-olympics-games-before-independence-404310">With three gold medals in hockey, here's how India fared at Olympics Games before independence</a>

The company said viewers streamed nearly 6 billion minutes of Tokyo Olympics programming, a record for an Olympics, across NBC's digital and social media platforms, the company said. 
 
NBCUniversal aired the Games across two broadcast networks, six cable networks, and multiple digital platforms including Peacock. That left some viewers confused and struggling to find the events they wanted to watch. 
 
Some high-profile athletes were absent from major events. US&nbsp;superstar gymnast Simone Biles pulled out of five of her six events, citing concerns for her mental and physical health, and American sprinter Sha`Karri Richardson was disqualified after testing positive for marijuana. 
 
The TV ratings drop reflects a trend among live events, including Hollywood awards shows and sports championships. 
 
NBC owns the US&nbsp;media rights to the Olympics through 2032. The next games, the Winter Olympics in Beijing, take place in February 2022.

US viewership for the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, a competition clouded by the COVID-19 pandemic, dropped to about half the audience for the London Games in 2012, according to data released by Comcast Corp's NBCUniversal on Monday.

US viewership for the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, a competition clouded by the COVID-19 pandemic, dropped to about half the audience for the London Games in 2012, according to data released by Comcast Corp's NBCUniversal on Monday. The event averaged 15.5 million primetime viewers on the NBC broadcast network and digital platforms including the Peacock streaming service, the company said in a statement. That represented the smallest audience for the Summer Games since NBC began broadcasting them in 1988. The total slumped below the 31.1 million viewers who watched the Summer Olympics in London via TV and online outlets, and 26.7 million who tuned in for the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro, an NBC spokesman said. IN PICS | Historic firsts and some shining moments of India at Tokyo Olympics Comparisons with previous Olympic Games are imperfect given the different times zones, the pandemic and fewer streaming options in the past. The Tokyo events, delayed a year due to the global health crisis, were held without spectators and offered less of the usual spectacle. Executives at NBCUniversal have said they expect to turn a profit despite the ratings declines. The competitions still pulled in the biggest audiences on television when they aired, making them attractive showcases for advertisers. "There is nothing more powerful in media than the 17 straight days of Olympics dominance," NBC Sports Chairman Pete Bevacqua said in a statement. "Despite being thrown a series of curveballs over the last 18 months, the power of the Olympics delivered to audiences across the various platforms of NBCU has proven itself unequaled." IN PICS | With three gold medals in hockey, here's how India fared at Olympics Games before independence The company said viewers streamed nearly 6 billion minutes of Tokyo Olympics programming, a record for an Olympics, across NBC's digital and social media platforms, the company said. NBCUniversal aired the Games across two broadcast networks, six cable networks, and multiple digital platforms including Peacock. That left some viewers confused and struggling to find the events they wanted to watch. Some high-profile athletes were absent from major events. US superstar gymnast Simone Biles pulled out of five of her six events, citing concerns for her mental and physical health, and American sprinter Sha`Karri Richardson was disqualified after testing positive for marijuana. The TV ratings drop reflects a trend among live events, including Hollywood awards shows and sports championships. NBC owns the US media rights to the Olympics through 2032. The next games, the Winter Olympics in Beijing, take place in February 2022.

US ratings for Tokyo Olympics plunge to half of 2012 Games

Bollywood actor Alia Bhatt goofed up yet again and netizens&nbsp;can't get enough!

As Tokyo Olympics kickstarted, many celebrities have taken to their&nbsp;social media to cheer the National team. Alia too shared photos to support our athletes. 
 
Taking to her Instagram stories, The 'Highway' actor send&nbsp;her good wishes for the Indian contingent at the ongoing Tokyo Olympics but unfortunately posted the wrong picture.&nbsp; 
 
''Best of Luck to the India contingent'', Alia story reads. 
 
The picture was from the opening ceremony of the London Olympics with a hashtag of Tokyo 2021&nbsp;and showed the Indian contingent, being led by Sushil &nbsp;Kumar, which sparked laughs galore.&nbsp; 
 
For the unversed,&nbsp;Kumar, an Olympic medallist is curruntly behind the bars under the charges of murder. However, the mishap quickly attracted the attention of netizens. Many users were shocked, while others gave her an update on wrestler Sushil Kumar life. 
 
Take a look:

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Are bhaii ..koi <a href="https://twitter.com/aliaa08?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@aliaa08</a> ko rok lo. 2012 ke Olympic ka pic share kr rhi. 😭 <a href="https://t.co/U2taag18Ra">pic.twitter.com/U2taag18Ra</a>
— Vaibhav (@msdian_MS07) <a href="https://twitter.com/msdian_MS07/status/1418980744706371594?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 24, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Internet Explorer se post kiya hoga 😂😂😂
— Heman (@thisis_heman) <a href="https://twitter.com/thisis_heman/status/1419272521547849728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 25, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Leave everything and check Alia Bhatt’s Insta story.. she’s so dumb 😭😭
— Maithun (@Being_Humor) <a href="https://twitter.com/Being_Humor/status/1418981266255384578?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 24, 2021</a></blockquote>
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This guy Sushil Kumar is in jail on muπder charges, Bombay blonde <a href="https://twitter.com/aliaa08?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@aliaa08</a>! 🤦‍♂️😁😁 <a href="https://t.co/tkVMG766sN">pic.twitter.com/tkVMG766sN</a>
— Neta Ji (@AapGhumaKeLeL0) <a href="https://twitter.com/AapGhumaKeLeL0/status/1418982347119251464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 24, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Meanwhile, before Alia, Bollywood actor and Indian theatre personality <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-tokyo-olympics-tisca-chopra-trolled-for-mistaking-silver-medalist-mirabai-chanu-for-an-indonesian-wrestler-400372">Tisca Chopra</a> was the first who started the goofup&nbsp;game. After Indian weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu won the first medal for India at the Tokyo Olympics, she sent&nbsp;her wishes but attached the photograph of Indonesian weight lifter Aisah Windy Cantika instead of Chanu’s.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-tokyo-olympics-tisca-chopra-trolled-for-mistaking-silver-medalist-mirabai-chanu-for-an-indonesian-wrestler-400372" hreflang="en">Tokyo Olympics: Tisca Chopra trolled for mistaking silver medalist Mirabai Chanu for an Indonesian wrestler</a>

<h2><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-tokyo-olympics-japanese-singer-misia%E2%80%99s-cotton-candy-gown-left-netizens-gasping-for-breath-400289" hreflang="en">Tokyo Olympics: Japanese singer Misia’s cotton candy gown left netizens gasping for breath</a></h2>

Bollywood actor Alia Bhatt goofed up yet again and netizens can't get enough! As Tokyo Olympics kickstarted, many celebrities have taken to their social media to cheer the National team.

Bollywood actor Alia Bhatt goofed up yet again and netizens can't get enough! As Tokyo Olympics kickstarted, many celebrities have taken to their social media to cheer the National team. Alia too shared photos to support our athletes. Taking to her Instagram stories, The 'Highway' actor send her good wishes for the Indian contingent at the ongoing Tokyo Olympics but unfortunately posted the wrong picture. ''Best of Luck to the India contingent'', Alia story reads. The picture was from the opening ceremony of the London Olympics with a hashtag of Tokyo 2021 and showed the Indian contingent, being led by Sushil Kumar, which sparked laughs galore. For the unversed, Kumar, an Olympic medallist is curruntly behind the bars under the charges of murder. However, the mishap quickly attracted the attention of netizens. Many users were shocked, while others gave her an update on wrestler Sushil Kumar life. Take a look: Are bhaii ..koi @aliaa08 ko rok lo. 2012 ke Olympic ka pic share kr rhi. 😭 pic.twitter.com/U2taag18Ra — Vaibhav (@msdian_MS07) July 24, 2021 × Internet Explorer se post kiya hoga 😂😂😂 — Heman (@thisis_heman) July 25, 2021 × Leave everything and check Alia Bhatt’s Insta story.. she’s so dumb 😭😭 — Maithun (@Being_Humor) July 24, 2021 × This guy Sushil Kumar is in jail on muπder charges, Bombay blonde @aliaa08! 🤦‍♂️😁😁 pic.twitter.com/tkVMG766sN — Neta Ji (@AapGhumaKeLeL0) July 24, 2021 × Meanwhile, before Alia, Bollywood actor and Indian theatre personality Tisca Chopra was the first who started the goofup game. After Indian weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu won the first medal for India at the Tokyo Olympics, she sent her wishes but attached the photograph of Indonesian weight lifter Aisah Windy Cantika instead of Chanu’s. Tokyo Olympics: Tisca Chopra trolled for mistaking silver medalist Mirabai Chanu for an Indonesian wrestler Tokyo Olympics: Japanese singer Misia’s cotton candy gown left netizens gasping for breath

Alia Bhatt does it again! Actor shares London Olympics picture as current Tokyo games

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tokyo-olympic-ceo-calls-coronavirus-concern-irresponsible-rumours-280473">Tokyo 2020</a> organisers on Monday rolled out the motto for this year's Olympics, "United by Emotion", which they said reflected the "universal values" and "unifying power of sport".

"Crowds of spectators who do not know each other prior to the Games will come together and learn that there is more that unites them than divides them," <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tokyo-olympic-ceo-calls-coronavirus-concern-irresponsible-rumours-280473">Tokyo 2020</a> said as it unveiled the motto.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tokyo-olympic-ceo-calls-coronavirus-concern-irresponsible-rumours-280473">Tokyo Olympics CEO calls coronavirus concern 'irresponsible rumours'</a>

The official Olympic motto is "Citius, Altius, Fortius" or "Faster, Higher, Stronger", but each host city chooses its own motto to accompany that edition of the Games.

London's motto in 2012 was "Inspire a Generation", whereas Athens in 2004 went for "Welcome Home" a nod to the birthplace of the Games in Olympia.

Less well-received was Sochi, which plumped for "Hot. Cool. Yours", sparking derision in some quarters.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ioc-face-big-communications-job-as-virus-jitters-hit-tokyo-olympics-280676">International Olympic Committee face 'big communications job' as virus jitters hit Tokyo Olympics</a>

Tokyo said the motto would be beamed onto the Skytree tower in the Japanese capital to raise awareness as it will be seen for miles around.

The opening ceremony will be on July 24 and organisers have stressed there is no discussion about changing this date despite the coronavirus crisis hitting global transport.

Tokyo 2020 roll-outs have not always been smooth. In September 2015, the Games logo was ditched after accusations of plagiarism.

Designer <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/olympics-from-budget-battles-to-boxing-blues-the-rocky-path-to-tokyo-2020-202768">Olivier Debie</a> said the design was stolen from his logo for a Belgian theatre and threatened court action before officials withdrew the emblem, saying it "no longer has public support".

Tokyo 2020 organisers on Monday rolled out the motto for this year's Olympics, "United by Emotion", which they said reflected the "universal values" and "unifying power of sport".

Tokyo 2020 organisers on Monday rolled out the motto for this year's Olympics, "United by Emotion", which they said reflected the "universal values" and "unifying power of sport". "Crowds of spectators who do not know each other prior to the Games will come together and learn that there is more that unites them than divides them," Tokyo 2020 said as it unveiled the motto. Also read: Tokyo Olympics CEO calls coronavirus concern 'irresponsible rumours' The official Olympic motto is "Citius, Altius, Fortius" or "Faster, Higher, Stronger", but each host city chooses its own motto to accompany that edition of the Games. London's motto in 2012 was "Inspire a Generation", whereas Athens in 2004 went for "Welcome Home" a nod to the birthplace of the Games in Olympia. Less well-received was Sochi, which plumped for "Hot. Cool. Yours", sparking derision in some quarters. Also read: International Olympic Committee face 'big communications job' as virus jitters hit Tokyo Olympics Tokyo said the motto would be beamed onto the Skytree tower in the Japanese capital to raise awareness as it will be seen for miles around. The opening ceremony will be on July 24 and organisers have stressed there is no discussion about changing this date despite the coronavirus crisis hitting global transport. Tokyo 2020 roll-outs have not always been smooth. In September 2015, the Games logo was ditched after accusations of plagiarism. Designer Olivier Debie said the design was stolen from his logo for a Belgian theatre and threatened court action before officials withdrew the emblem, saying it "no longer has public support".

'United by Emotion': Tokyo 2020 unveils Games motto

India's Olympic bronze medalist winner at the London Olympics spoke to WION's sports editor Digvijay Singh Deo on winning the prestigious Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar.

Excellence should be wired at the grassroots: Gagan Narang

As <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-2020-medals-unveiled-a-year-before-games-238165&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwit3Ibe9c_jAhVr6XMBHbRXALsQFjABegQIEBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw32CPD1RrfrmBTHqwYdqa2V">Tokyo 2020 Olympics</a> preparations enter their final stage, officials are touting the city's readiness, but activists and workers groups say speedy venue construction has had dangerous consequences.

The Olympic opening ceremony is now less than a year away and more than half the new venues being built for the Games are already complete.

"We are where we want to be," Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike confidently told reporters earlier this month.

But some argue the city has kept on schedule at the cost of the health and safety of the thousands of workers building the sites.

An official tally shows there have been at least two deaths linked to Olympics construction in Tokyo.

In 2017, a 23-year-old Olympic stadium worker killed himself after clocking nearly 200 hours of overtime the month before, with the local labour office recognising his suicide as a case of death from overwork, a phenomenon known as "karoshi".

The following year, a man was crushed to death between a crane and scaffolding.

Fourteen people have also been injured during construction, according to official records through the end of 2018.

But while London had a near-perfect construction safety record for the 2012 Games, Tokyo is still doing significantly better than other Olympic hosts.

In Rio, at least 11 people were killed during construction for the Games, and in Beijing, authorities acknowledged at least six deaths but media reports said more than 10 people were killed.

Too busy

 
Still, workers in Tokyo say they are being squeezed by the twin pressures of labour shortages and a tight schedule.

"The work is hard," said one veteran contractor in his sixties, who works as a sub-subcontractor on a project to build the Olympic Village.

He said manpower was about 40 percent short, and the pressure to stay on schedule has led to safety shortcuts.

He described days when he and his colleagues continued to work as a crane arm clutching a huge block of concrete moved overhead. They didn't move even after safety whistles were blown.

"We were too busy," he told AFP on condition of anonymity.

"It's like an assembly line for cars. You have to install the hoods no matter what because those putting in the windshields are waiting next."

They would only move when labour office inspectors came over.

"The breaks resulted in us being forced to hurry even more for the rest of the day, only increasing the risks," he said.

Labour unions say the problems with Olympic construction reflect issues in the industry in Japan more broadly, including the widespread use of multiple subcontractors who have little power to protest poor conditions.

Six-day workweeks are common, and the ageing country's labour shortage means workers are stretched thin.

One in four workers in Japan's construction industry is 60 or older, far outstripping the number of workers aged 30 or younger.

Overwork is also a problem for workers in other industries, despite government efforts to address excessive hours.

Conditions are really good

 
The conditions have raised concern among labour activists.

In May, the Building and Wood Worker's International union reported "alarming" testimony from 40 workers building the new national stadium and Olympic village.

The report warned of "dangerous patterns of overwork" and alleged some workers had been forced to buy their protective equipment.

It said workers described unsafe conditions and that half of those interviewed did not have formal contracts -- a situation not illegal in Japan but uncommon in industrialised countries.

It also accused employers of creating a "culture of fear" with workers afraid of losing their jobs if they complained or reported problems.

Olympic organisers, along with the Tokyo local government and the Japan Sport Council (JSC) in charge of building the new stadium, said they are discussing the report with BWI.

JSC vice president Jugo Imaizumi said he thought there had been a "misunderstanding".

"Many people who came back here after working elsewhere say they realised conditions here are really good," Imaizumi told AFP.

Olympics worksites close at night to prevent overwork and employees have Sundays off, he added.

Officials also say only a handful of complaints have been submitted to the Tokyo local government and Olympic organising committee.

But labour officials said that is merely evidence of workers' reluctance to speak up because although they can request anonymity they are required to submit their name and phone number when filing a complaint.

"Their logic is that since there is no filing of complaints, there is no problem," a labour union official near Tokyo told AFP.&nbsp;

"The system is just to establish an 'alibi' for them."

As Tokyo 2020 Olympics preparations enter their final stage, officials are touting the city's readiness, but activists and workers groups say speedy venue construction has had dangerous consequences.

As Tokyo 2020 Olympics preparations enter their final stage, officials are touting the city's readiness, but activists and workers groups say speedy venue construction has had dangerous consequences. The Olympic opening ceremony is now less than a year away and more than half the new venues being built for the Games are already complete. "We are where we want to be," Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike confidently told reporters earlier this month. But some argue the city has kept on schedule at the cost of the health and safety of the thousands of workers building the sites. An official tally shows there have been at least two deaths linked to Olympics construction in Tokyo. In 2017, a 23-year-old Olympic stadium worker killed himself after clocking nearly 200 hours of overtime the month before, with the local labour office recognising his suicide as a case of death from overwork, a phenomenon known as "karoshi". The following year, a man was crushed to death between a crane and scaffolding. Fourteen people have also been injured during construction, according to official records through the end of 2018. But while London had a near-perfect construction safety record for the 2012 Games, Tokyo is still doing significantly better than other Olympic hosts. In Rio, at least 11 people were killed during construction for the Games, and in Beijing, authorities acknowledged at least six deaths but media reports said more than 10 people were killed. Too busy Still, workers in Tokyo say they are being squeezed by the twin pressures of labour shortages and a tight schedule. "The work is hard," said one veteran contractor in his sixties, who works as a sub-subcontractor on a project to build the Olympic Village. He said manpower was about 40 percent short, and the pressure to stay on schedule has led to safety shortcuts. He described days when he and his colleagues continued to work as a crane arm clutching a huge block of concrete moved overhead. They didn't move even after safety whistles were blown. "We were too busy," he told AFP on condition of anonymity. "It's like an assembly line for cars. You have to install the hoods no matter what because those putting in the windshields are waiting next." They would only move when labour office inspectors came over. "The breaks resulted in us being forced to hurry even more for the rest of the day, only increasing the risks," he said. Labour unions say the problems with Olympic construction reflect issues in the industry in Japan more broadly, including the widespread use of multiple subcontractors who have little power to protest poor conditions. Six-day workweeks are common, and the ageing country's labour shortage means workers are stretched thin. One in four workers in Japan's construction industry is 60 or older, far outstripping the number of workers aged 30 or younger. Overwork is also a problem for workers in other industries, despite government efforts to address excessive hours. Conditions are really good The conditions have raised concern among labour activists. In May, the Building and Wood Worker's International union reported "alarming" testimony from 40 workers building the new national stadium and Olympic village. The report warned of "dangerous patterns of overwork" and alleged some workers had been forced to buy their protective equipment. It said workers described unsafe conditions and that half of those interviewed did not have formal contracts -- a situation not illegal in Japan but uncommon in industrialised countries. It also accused employers of creating a "culture of fear" with workers afraid of losing their jobs if they complained or reported problems. Olympic organisers, along with the Tokyo local government and the Japan Sport Council (JSC) in charge of building the new stadium, said they are discussing the report with BWI. JSC vice president Jugo Imaizumi said he thought there had been a "misunderstanding". "Many people who came back here after working elsewhere say they realised conditions here are really good," Imaizumi told AFP. Olympics worksites close at night to prevent overwork and employees have Sundays off, he added. Officials also say only a handful of complaints have been submitted to the Tokyo local government and Olympic organising committee. But labour officials said that is merely evidence of workers' reluctance to speak up because although they can request anonymity they are required to submit their name and phone number when filing a complaint. "Their logic is that since there is no filing of complaints, there is no problem," a labour union official near Tokyo told AFP. "The system is just to establish an 'alibi' for them."

Tokyo Olympic construction race raises worker safety questions

India&#39;s 2012 Olympics bronze medallist wrestler, Yogeshwar Dutt, does not want his award to be upgraded to a silver medal on &#39;humanitarian grounds&#39;, PTI news agency reported today.&nbsp; 
 
Dutt&#39;s medal is being upgraded as late Besik Kudukhov, the silver medallist&#39;s dope test resulted positive recently. 
 
&quot;Besik Kudukhov shandaar pehelwaan the (Besik Kudukhov was a magnificent wrestler). Unke mirtyu ke baad dope test mein fail ho jana bahut dukht hai (His dope test returning positive after his death is very sad). Main khiladi ke roop mein main unka samaan karta hoon (As a wrestler, I respect him),&quot; Yogeshwar wrote on his twitter handle. 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Besik Kudukhov ?????? ?????? ??? ???? ?????? ?? ?????? dope test ??? fail ?? ???? ???? ???? ??? ??????? ?? ??? ??? ???? ?????? ???? ????
&mdash; Yogeshwar Dutt (@DuttYogi) <a href="https://twitter.com/DuttYogi/status/770876284721328129">August 31, 2016</a> 
&nbsp;</blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
??? ?? ??? ?? ?? ???? ????? ?? ??? ???? ???? ???? ???? ?????? ?? ??? ?? ??????????? ????? ???? ??? ?????? ??????? ???????? ???
&mdash; Yogeshwar Dutt (@DuttYogi) <a href="https://twitter.com/DuttYogi/status/770876403424325633">August 31, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 
 
&quot;Agar ho sake toh yeh medal unhi ke paas rehne diya jaaye (If possible, the medal should stay with him). Unke pariwar ke liye bhi samaan purna hoga (It will keep his family&#39;s honour intact). Mere liye manaviya samvedana sarvopari hai (For me humanity is above everything else),&quot; he further wrote. 
 
Kudukhov was a four-time world champion and a two-time Olympic medallist. He died in a car crash in 2013 in southern Russia. 
 
Kudukhov failed a World Anti-Doping Agency dope test which was conducted before the Rio games on a sample given by him in 2012. Consequently, Dutt is added as a silver medallist in men&#39;s 65kg freestyle wrestlers in London Olympics 2012. 
 
Dutt also said he would like to dedicate the medal to countrymen.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with inputs from PTI)

Dutt's medal is being upgraded as late Besik Kudukhov, the silver medallist's dope test resulted positive recently

India's 2012 Olympics bronze medallist wrestler, Yogeshwar Dutt, does not want his award to be upgraded to a silver medal on 'humanitarian grounds', PTI news agency reported today. Dutt's medal is being upgraded as late Besik Kudukhov, the silver medallist's dope test resulted positive recently. "Besik Kudukhov shandaar pehelwaan the (Besik Kudukhov was a magnificent wrestler). Unke mirtyu ke baad dope test mein fail ho jana bahut dukht hai (His dope test returning positive after his death is very sad). Main khiladi ke roop mein main unka samaan karta hoon (As a wrestler, I respect him)," Yogeshwar wrote on his twitter handle. Besik Kudukhov ?????? ?????? ??? ???? ?????? ?? ?????? dope test ??? fail ?? ???? ???? ???? ??? ??????? ?? ??? ??? ???? ?????? ???? ???? — Yogeshwar Dutt (@DuttYogi) August 31, 2016 ??? ?? ??? ?? ?? ???? ????? ?? ??? ???? ???? ???? ???? ?????? ?? ??? ?? ??????????? ????? ???? ??? ?????? ??????? ???????? ??? — Yogeshwar Dutt (@DuttYogi) August 31, 2016 "Agar ho sake toh yeh medal unhi ke paas rehne diya jaaye (If possible, the medal should stay with him). Unke pariwar ke liye bhi samaan purna hoga (It will keep his family's honour intact). Mere liye manaviya samvedana sarvopari hai (For me humanity is above everything else)," he further wrote. Kudukhov was a four-time world champion and a two-time Olympic medallist. He died in a car crash in 2013 in southern Russia. Kudukhov failed a World Anti-Doping Agency dope test which was conducted before the Rio games on a sample given by him in 2012. Consequently, Dutt is added as a silver medallist in men's 65kg freestyle wrestlers in London Olympics 2012. Dutt also said he would like to dedicate the medal to countrymen. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Yogeshwar Dutt prefers keeping bronze for London Olympics

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