Paris Olympics 2024: Shot putter Abha Khatua’s name goes missing in World Athletics’ list of Olympic participants

On Friday night, July 12, the World Athletics’ list of Olympic participants had only 29 Indian athletes instead of 30 names, with shot putter Abha Khatua’s name missing. However, the AFI had given the list of 30 names via IOA.

Though Khatua is currently training in Poland in order to get herself prepared for the forthcoming Paris Olympics 2024, her name missing from the final list has raised concerns among many.

However, it is yet to be known if it could be a technical error from the World Athletics as the apex body’s officials are yet to respond on the matter.

One of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) officials has confirmed that they brought the matter to the notice of the World Athletics. Interestingly, another AFI official stated that the AFI wasn’t aware of the issue.

IOA confirmed that they had entered 30 track and field athletes, including two reserves. However, Abha didn’t respond to calls and text messages when PTI reached her.

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Abha Khatua made the cut for the Paris Olympics via the World Rankings route

Notably, Abha Khatua made the cut for the Paris Olympics through the Road to Paris World Rankings route. She was headed to Spala in Poland on Thursday, July 11, along with other track and field athletes. They were expected to reach the French capital on July 28.

Though Abha wasn’t initially considered a favorite to make the cut for the Paris Olympics 2024, her performance at the Federation Cup in April 2024 caught the limelight, breaking the national record as she went on to win the gold medal with her throw of 18.41m, missing the Paris 2024 entry standard (18.80m) by a few meters.

Later, she threw a distance of 17.53m at the National Inter-State Championships in Panchkula, Haryana, propelling her to a better ranking in the Road to Paris rankings.

Abha Khatua jumped to the 21st rank in the Road to Paris rankings with 1059 points, which helped her to secure the Paris Olympics 2024 quota. While 15 shot putters qualified directly, 17 made it through the world rankings route for the women’s shot put event.

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