Chinese wrestlers will not compete in the Asian Championships beginning here on Tuesday as they have not been granted visas by the government due to the coronavirus outbreak there, Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) assistant secretary Vinod Tomar said on Monday.

Tomar said the Indian government has denied visas to the 40-strong Chinese contingent. “We have got to know that the government has not granted visas to the Chinese contingent and so they are not taking part in the Championships,” Tomar said.

“The world is grappling with coronavirus and so health of athletes is the primary concern. It is understandable why the government has not given visas to them,” he added.

He, however, said the WFI is yet to get a formal communication from the government.

Asked what could be United World Wrestling’s reaction on the denial of visas to the Chinese wrestlers, Tomar said: “We do not see any issues here, it is not something which happens in normal times. We are dealing with a grave health issue facing the world. It is not happening just in this championship, other countries have also done the same to Chinese athletes in other sporting events. Moreover, UWW has not told us anything or given any direction about the Chinese wrestlers in the past week or so.”

Sports minister Kiren Rijiju said the denial was based on an extraordinary health crisis.

“We can’t deny visa to citizens of any country because it is a part of the Olympic Charter. We try to keep sports away from politics. But where there’s health concern or any technical issue, there are separate provisions,” Rijiju said.

“We can’t discriminate with anyone but can’t ignore serious issues as well. Whatever approval is needed from the ministry’s side in the conduct of an international event, we give it,” he added.