India Chief Medical Officer Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala has issued a strict health advisory for the Indian contingent at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, focusing on flu prevention, hygiene, athlete recovery, and world-class medical support to ensure peak performance throughout the competition.
As cold, wet weather grips Scotland during the 2026 Commonwealth Games, India’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala, has unveiled an extensive health protection strategy aimed at keeping the Indian contingent free from illness and competition-ready. Stressing that upper respiratory infections remain one of the biggest challenges at major multi-sport events, Dr. Pardiwala said strict hygiene, preventive care, and advanced medical support are central to India’s preparations.
With athletes arriving from significantly warmer climates, adapting to Glasgow’s chilly and rainy conditions has become a major concern for the Indian medical team. To minimise the risk of illness before competition, officials have implemented strict guidelines to reduce unnecessary outdoor exposure and protect athletes from adverse weather conditions.
“The weather is cold and it is raining. So the advice is primarily to just protect yourselves, don’t get wet and we are making sure that each of the athletes who doesn’t need to be out, doesn’t need to be out. So try and protect them as far as possible,” Dr. Pardiwala said.
The precautionary approach also influenced India’s participation in the opening ceremony. Athletes scheduled to compete shortly after the ceremony were deliberately kept away to avoid unnecessary exposure that could lead to colds or flu.
“We made sure that none of the athletes who were participating immediately afterwards were part of the opening ceremony. We don’t want to land up with colds and flus just before participation,” he explained.
Dr. Pardiwala emphasised that simple hygiene practices remain the most effective defence against viral infections within large athlete contingents. Regular hand washing, maintaining cleanliness, and following preventive health protocols are being strongly enforced across the Indian camp.
He revealed that chief medical officers from participating nations exchange daily health updates, with encouraging reports so far.
“We get a morning update every day amongst the Chief Medical Officers of the contingents and fortunately we don’t have any outbreak of any flu or any colds and coughs amongst any of the contingents right now. So that is a good sign and we hope that it continues that way,” he noted.
According to Dr. Pardiwala, upper respiratory tract infections have historically posed one of the greatest threats to athlete performance at international sporting events. However, the current situation remains well under control.
Beyond disease prevention, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has established a fully equipped sports science and recovery centre inside the Games Village to provide athletes with world-class recovery and injury management services.
The facility includes compression therapy, cryo-compression equipment, physiotherapy support, and other specialised recovery systems brought directly from India. The IOA has also transported essential medicines and medical supplies to ensure the contingent remains self-sufficient throughout the Games without relying on local healthcare facilities.
Dr. Pardiwala said the recovery centre is designed to ensure athletes receive immediate treatment whenever required, allowing them to maintain peak physical condition during competition.
Addressing concerns about athlete fitness, he clarified that fitness monitoring begins long before the Games and is primarily managed by national sports federations, coaches, and physiotherapists. Only athletes deemed fully prepared are selected to represent the country.
While acknowledging that injuries are inevitable in elite sports, he said minor issues can often be managed effectively through immediate medical intervention, while serious injuries may unfortunately prevent athletes from competing.
Dr. Pardiwala also highlighted the strong institutional backing available to India’s athletes, crediting the Sports Ministry, the Sports Authority of India (SAI), the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), and the IOA for creating a comprehensive support system.
He noted that beyond physical treatment, the availability of immediate medical assistance provides athletes with psychological reassurance. Knowing that expert medical teams are always available reduces anxiety and enables competitors to focus entirely on delivering their best performances.
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As India aims for another successful Commonwealth Games campaign, the comprehensive health strategy reflects the country’s commitment to athlete welfare. With strict preventive measures, advanced recovery facilities, continuous medical monitoring, and coordinated institutional support, the Indian contingent is entering the Games with confidence that both health and performance remain top priorities.
