'When the Olympics were postponed last year there were talks of the virus situation improving, but we are going from bad to worst.'
And what an exciting week it has been, with players returning to packed stadiums, some memorable individual and team performances and a medical incident which had the world on edge.
Laxmi Negi/Rediff.com picks the very best players from what has been an outstanding tournament.
Each Round of 16 game was entertaining. Laxmi Negi/Rediff.com picks the games to remember.
You may be entranced by the foot magic, but don't miss the hair cuts!
A look at this week's hits and misses.
He spoke to Rediff.com's Laxmi Negi on why ISL could prove to be a much-needed shot in the arm for Indian football and how it attracted him back to India.
'He has the mental strength and skill to play anybody and any attack.' 'He is a fearless cricketer.'
'The first time I entered the WWE I wore a salwar suit.' 'I am proud of our rich culture and I am glad I get the opportunity to represent it.'
'I never imagined that a doll would be made on me. It feels great to be recognised by Barbie,' says the World Para-badminton champion who was also honoured by Time magazine.
Moments to remember from the quarter-finals.
Plagued by injuries, India named a young 18-member squad to be led by the inspirational Sardar Singh in the crucial Asia Cup hockey tournament scheduled from August 24 to September 1 in Ipoh, Malaysia.
There is yet another injury blow to India's prospect in the upcoming Asia Cup hockey tournament. The men in blue were dealt a severe blow after star forward S V Sunil had to be ruled out of August 24-September 1 event due to an elbow injury.
'No matter when the Olympics are -- they can be after four months or after one year and four months -- I will be ready.'
'They came out with an attitude that they had nothing to lose.' 'That's what stands out about this team.'
A look at this week's hits and misses.
A look at this week's hits and misses.
Laxmi Negi picks her All Stars XI after the IPL 2020 league games.
'I am sure this unwanted controversy will only make me stronger.'
These inspiring stories of women shattering the glass ceiling will make you believe in a brighter, gender positive future for India.
'Things changed for us and all the children in the valley when we won the Second Division' 'When we played our I-League home matches it was always a full house. Rain, snow, sunshine, our fans came to cheer for us'
'Something like this was never taken up by the women's hockey team before and I am very proud we used our time during the lockdown for a good cause.'
'I want to win the MMA World championship.'
Mumbai City FC manager Peter Reid is all praise for his star signing, Frenchman Nicholas Anelka.
Talking to Rediff.com's Laxmi Negi, on the eve of the match against Pune City FC, Reid, the massively experienced manager of Mumbai City FC, promises entertaining, attacking football to fans of the club.
Chief coach of the Indian men's hockey Michael Nobbs said on Tuesday he wasn't "pushed out" but willingly resigned from the job owing to deteriorating health.
Mumbai teenager Aashi Hanspal is a rising star in motorsport.
'I was determined to return with a medal from the World Championships.'
'The judges won't be giving me points for my looks or height.' 'All I know is my punches are important and I just go about throwing them at my opponent.'
Prajnesh, India's top-ranked singles player at 122, downed the local wild card Jason Kubler 7-5, 6-3 in the first round
'My smile was the biggest reason that my wife got married to me,' Jay Bhanushali tells us.
'For years we train for the Olympics and when we are this close, how can we stop training?'
For over two decades, Breeze Sharma dreamt of conquering the Everest. And when it did come true, he was staring at a life and death situation.
Besides the trophies, Bengaluru FC's coach Ashley Westwood has also won his team supporters and sold-out home crowds, says Laxmi Negi
'I could not believe that the prime minister knew me.'
There is no one in the world like this Champion. As he bids farewell to sprinting, Laxmi Negi looks at the invaluable life lessons UB taught the world.
When the World Cup began, no one gave them a chance. But the nail-biting final will go down in the record books and so will our girls.
India sprinter Dutee Chand, who qualified for the Rio Olympics, at an event in Almaty, Kazakhstan on Saturday, tells Laxmi Negi/Rediff.com that she gives her best when pushed by better and faster athletes.
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