At the World Athletics Relays on Monday in Nassau, Bahamas, the Indian men’s and women’s 4×400-meter relay teams both qualified for the Paris Olympics by finishing second in their respective second-round heats.
In the women’s event’s first heat, Jamaica finished first with a time of 3:28.54, while Rupal Chaudhary, M R Poovamma, Jyothika Sri Dandi, and Subha Venkatesan of India secured second place, guaranteeing their spot at the Paris Games.
The men’s team, comprising Muhammad Anas Yahiya, Muhammad Ajmal, Arokia Rajiv, and Amoj Jacob, secured second position in their heat with a combined time of 3 minutes and 3.23 seconds, following closely behind the USA (2:59.95).
The top two teams from each of the three heats in the second round progressed to the Olympics, scheduled to take place from July 26 to August 11.
During the first-round qualifying heat on Sunday, the Indian women’s team finished seventh with a time of 3 minutes and 29.74 seconds. Unfortunately, the men’s team couldn’t complete the first round after Rajesh Ramesh, the second-leg runner, withdrew halfway due to cramps.
With this achievement, India now boasts a total of 19 track and field athletes heading to Paris, including Neeraj Chopra, the reigning javelin throw champion.
The athletics events at the Paris Olympics are slated to commence on August 1.