Nine more Indian track and field athletes are gearing up for the Paris Olympics 2024 after securing their spots through final rankings published by World Athletics. Several positive surprises have increased hopes within the Indian track and field community for more medals this time around at the Olympics.
Steeplechase athlete Parul Chaudhary has become the only Indian to qualify for two events, booking her berth in the women’s 5000m. At the last Tokyo Olympics, Neeraj Chopra became the first Indian track and field athlete to win a gold medal.
Javelin thrower DP Manu’s ticket is tentative!
DP Manu, India’s javelin thrower, has qualified as the third Indian athlete after Neeraj Chopra and Kishore Jena. However, there is a possibility he may not compete, as Manu has been provisionally suspended by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) after testing positive for a banned substance.
Looking at the men’s long jump, Jeswin Aldrin, who narrowly missed the Olympic qualification mark by just one mark and is currently ranked 33rd, now looks to be a real contender for a Paris Olympics berth after Murali Sreeshankar withdrew from a tournament.
Parul Chaudhary, the only steeplechase athlete to qualify
As mentioned earlier, Parul Chaudhary became the only steeplechase athlete to qualify. Parul achieved the qualification by surpassing the Olympic mark at the 2023 World Championships in the 3000-meter steeplechase. The 29-year-old holds India’s women’s 3000m steeplechase national record of 9:15.31, which she clicked at the 2023 World Athletics Championships, eventually breaching the Olympic standard of 9:23.00 in the event and securing her spot.
Indian Track and Field Athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympics:
Via Ranking :Tajinderpal Singh Toor (Men’s Shot Put), Abha Khatua (Women’s Shot Put), Abdulla Aboobacker, Praveen Chithravel (Men’s Triple Jump), Sarvesh Anil Kushare (Men’s High Jump), Parul Chaudhary (Women’s 5000m), Jyothi Yarraji (Women’s 100m hurdles), Annu Rani (Women’s Javelin Throw) Tentative: Jeswin Aldrin (Men’s Long Jump), DP Manu (Men’s Javelin Throw).
