Paris Olympics 2024: AFI hopeful of last-minute qualification in 4x400m mixed relay
The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) president Adille Sumariwalla anticipates a last-minute qualification for the Paris Olympics 2024 in the mixed 4x400m relay event. For that to happen, at least two international teams are required to compete alongside Indian athletes, according to the World Athletics.
In its bid to achieve the mixed relay qualification, AFI has invited Sri Lanka and Maldives as two international teams at the National Inter-State Championships beginning in Panchkula, Haryana on June 27, Thursday.
“We have invited Sri Lanka and Maldives for the mixed 4x400m relay race and we are hoping that our team can run below 3 minutes 11.87 seconds to qualify for the Olympics,” AFI president Adille Sumariwalla said in a press conference (via The Hindu).
However, it will be a challenging task for the Indian mixed team as they have to break the national record of 3:14.12 seconds, set by the quartet of Muhammed Ajmal, Jyothika Sri Dandi, Amoj Jacob, and Subha Venkatesan. Their record-breaking run helped them win the gold medal at the Asian Relay Championships in Bangkok last month
Notably, both men’s and women’s 4x400m relay teams secured Paris Olympics 2024 tickets at the Bahamas World Relays Championships in May. However, the mixed team failed to bag the quota.
“I am very hopeful of our mixed 4x400m relay team booking Paris berth” - AFI President
At the Summer Games in Paris, only 16 teams will participate in the mixed 4x400m relay event in Paris and 14 have already secured their berths during the World Relays Championships in Nassau in May.
As of now, Italy (3:10.69) and Kenya (3:11.88) are leading the race to take the remaining two spots. Indian mixed-relay team has to clock at least 3:11.87 before the June 30 deadline to secure the quota.
“It may look difficult to run 3:11.87 but it’s not so and we can do it if our runners run flat. I am very hopeful of our mixed 4x400m relay team booking Paris berth. If they do so, they will reach the finals in Paris Olympics, you can take this from me,” Sumariwalla added
“Personally, I feel that the mixed 4x400m relay will be the next big thing after the men’s 4x400m relay, though many people may not agree with this,” he stated.
In May 2024, the AFI President stated that it would be mandatory for all Indian athletes to participate in the National Inter-State Championships to stand a chance to make it to the Paris Olympics 2024. However, Neeraj Chopra has been given an exception.