Indian Chess Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi has become the latest high-profile athlete to sound the alarm over the hazardous atmospheric conditions in the national capital. In a searing post on X, Gujrathi shared a screenshot of an Air Quality Index dashboard showing a "Hazardous" level of 598, sparking a massive debate on the safety of hosting international sporting events in the city.
Gujrathi’s post resonated with a frustrated public, many of whom expressed cynicism over the recurring nature of the crisis.
The online reaction was swift, with users describing fresh air as a "luxury" and lamenting that even other major hubs like Bengaluru are now seeing AQI levels cross the 200 mark.
The toxic air has moved beyond a public health concern to a major logistical nightmare for sports administrators. Several world-class athletes have now voiced their grievances:
Anders Antonsen (World No. 3): Withdrew from the India Open for the third consecutive year, stating, “Due to the extreme pollution in Delhi at the moment, I don’t think it’s a place to host a badminton tournament.” Antonsen revealed he was fined $5,000 by the BWF for his withdrawal.
Loh Kean Yew (Former World Champion): Noted that athletes' stamina drops "two levels" in these conditions. “Everyone’s stamina drops... my health has dropped a bit after landing here,” he remarked after his pre-quarterfinal win.
Mia Blichfeldt: Repeated her criticisms from the previous year, citing both pollution and hygiene as "unhealthy" for professional play.
The current conditions in Delhi fluctuate between "Very Poor" and "Severe," with authorities warning that the haze is unlikely to lift before the end of the week.
The primary concern for the Badminton Association of India and the BWF is the World Championships scheduled for August 2026 at the same venue. While officials hope the summer heat will dissipate the smog, the current "test event" has left international players wary. Antonsen noted he is "crossing his fingers" for better conditions in the summer, though the reputational damage to Delhi as a host city continues to mount.
