Indian swimming team lands in French capital ahead of Paris Olympics 2024
Indian swimmers Srihari Nataraj and Dhinidhi Desinghu have landed in the French capital ahead of the Paris Olympics. Two support staff members have been accompanying them, according to the picture posted by the Swimming Federation of India (SFI) on X (formerly Twitter).
SFI took to the social media platform to confirm the arrival of the Indian swimming contingent in Paris for the forthcoming Paris Olympics, scheduled to start on July 26 and conclude on August 11.
"Indian Swimming Team.. lands in Paris ..Wishing them the very best," posted Swimming Federation of India on X.
Srihari Nataraj and the 14-year-old swimmer Dhinidhi Desinghu will represent Team India in the swimming discipline at the Paris Olympics 2024 after the duo achieved the Olympic Qualification under the Universality Places rule.
Nataraj will participate in the men’s 100m backstroke, while Dhinidhi will compete in the women’s 200m freestyle event.
No Indian swimmer achieved Olympic Qualification Timing for Paris Olympics 2024
According to the Universality Places rule, NOCs are permitted to enter a maximum of two athletes - one woman and one man - in one event each if there are no qualified athletes via Olympic Qualification Time (OQT) or Olympic Consideration Time (OCT).
Additionally, NOCs can field a maximum of one female and a male swimmer if they have participated in one or more of the World Championships in 2023 and 2024 if no athletes achieved an OQT.
Since no Indian swimmers managed to achieve OQT or OCT during the qualification window, the SFI used the Universality quota places.
Srihari Nataraj was part of the World Aquatics Championships 2023 in Fukuoka, Japan, while Dhinidhi Desinghu competed in the 2024 Worlds held in Doha, Qatar, making them available in the University quota places.
Srihari Nataraj and Sajan Prakash emerged as the first Indian swimmers to secure the Olympic Qualification Timing (OQT) and bag direct quotas to the Olympics at Tokyo 2020. While Dhinidhi will compete in her first Olympics, it will be the second appearance for Nataraj.
Swimming events at Paris Olympics 2024 are scheduled to take place between July 27 and August 4 at the Paris La Défense Arena.