Ecstatic cheers for India reverberated across the athletics community on the morning of May 6, as confirmation came through that the country’s relay teams had achieved a formidable feat—qualifying for the keenly anticipated Paris Olympics 2024. The electrifying atmosphere at the World Relays Competition in the Bahamas was the backdrop against which the Indian men and women’s relay teams secured their spots in the second round of qualifications.
The arena buzzed with anticipation as the men’s team rallied to compete in the 4x400m relay. The team, comprised of Muhammed Anas Yahiya, Arokia Rajiv, Muhammed Ajmal, and Amoj Jacob, undertook a spirited challenge that culminated in a season-best performance. This synchronized display of athleticism and team spirit earned them second place in their qualification round and, more importantly, the coveted ticket to the summer games in Paris.
Before the crucial round, there was a twist of fate for the team. Rajesh Ramesh, initially on the roster, had to withdraw due to injury, making way for the driven Arokia Rajiv to step in. Rajiv joined the relay as the second runner, seamlessly integrating into the well-oiled machine. The collective effort was stamped with success as the team recorded a time of 3:03.23s, conceding the top spot only to the formidable USA team but ensuring their place in the Olympic lineup.
Meanwhile, the women’s team, with equal determination and skill, spearheaded their way into Olympic qualification. The quartet—Rupal, Jyothika Sri Dandi, Poovamma Raju, and Subha Venkatesan—embarked on their quest with a blend of tenacity and technique. It was Jyothika who steered the team’s fortunes with a remarkable 51.36s run, surging India into a competitive second position. The synergy of Poovamma and Subha was palpable as they maintained this lead, eventually concluding their run with a total time of 3:29:35s, second only to the dynamic Jamaican team.
In addition to the thrilling success of the relay teams, the broader landscape of Indian athletes qualifying for the Paris Olympics is developing impressively. With each qualifying event, the list of India’s representatives grows, heralding a strong contingent for the 2024 games. However, not without its share of setbacks; Murali Sreeshankar—a promising talent—faced a knee injury that ruled him out of contention for the Paris Olympics, causing a ripple of disappointment among fans and fellow athletes alike.
Encouraging news complemented these developments as wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Anshu made the nation proud by securing their berths in the Olympics after their performance in the Asian Qualifiers shone brightly.
These individual and team achievements weave a story of resilience and ambition, as athletes across a spectrum of disciplines emerge from trials and tribulations to reach the pinnacle of international competition—the Olympics. As the world gears up for Paris 2024, Indian fans are riding high on optimism, eagerly awaiting the spectacle of their athletes competing on one of the grandest stages in the realm of sports. The pursuit of Olympic glory continues, and the Indian relay teams have demonstrated that with determination and unity, the race to the podium is one that they are more than equipped to compete in.