How can Jeswin Aldrin still qualify for the Paris Olympics 2024?
Indian men’s long jumper Jeswin Aldrin finds himself in a very tricky position as he vies for a spot at the Paris Olympics 2024. According to International Olympic Committee (IOC) rules, athletes can qualify for the Olympics either by surpassing the qualification mark or through the Road to Paris World Athletics rankings. The cut-off date for qualification was June 30.
Aldrin has not met the qualifying standard of 8.27m in the men’s long jump and is currently ranked 33rd in the Road to Paris World Athletics rankings. Only the top 32 athletes are eligible to compete in the men’s long jump at the Olympics.
India had earlier secured a quota in men’s long jump when Murali Sreeshankar qualified by jumping 8.37m at the Asian Athletics Championships 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand, earning a silver medal and a berth in the Paris Olympics 2024.
However, Sreeshankar's recent knee injury has ruled him out of the Olympics, potentially opening the door for Aldrin. With Sreeshankar ruled out, Jeswin Aldrin could move up one spot ahead to 32, putting him inside the qualification rankings.
The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) will send its final list, and the official confirmation will be made on July 8.
Jeswin Aldrin’s form in the current Olympic cycle
Jeswin Aldrin is the current national record holder in men’s high jump, a feat he achieved in March 2023 with an 8.42m jump at the 2nd Indian Open Jumps Competition at Inspire Institute of Sport in Bellary, Karnataka. He broke Sreeshankar’s record of 8.36m.
However, this performance came before the current Olympic qualification cycle. Aldrin’s performance recently has been a point of concern as he has struggled to breach even the 8m mark. This drop in performance came at an important time, i.e., during the Paris Olympics 2024 qualification cycle, which has now put him in a very stressful situation.
Jeswin Aldrin was expected to shine at the recently concluded 63rd National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships in Panchkula, Haryana. This was the last qualifying event but Aldrin could only manage 7.75m to finish second behind Arya S (7.78m).