Paris Olympics 2024: Srihari Nataraj and Dhinidhi Desinghu to represent India via Universality Quota
Swimmers Srihari Nataraj and Dhinidhi Desinghu are set to represent India at the Paris Olympics 2024 through the Universality Quota. The Swimming Federation of India (SFI) announced this after receiving approval from World Aquatics on Wednesday, June 26, 2024.
Seasoned campaigner Srihari Nataraj previously qualified for the Tokyo Summer Olympics. However, this will be Dhinidhi's maiden Olympic appearance.
With 849 points, Srihari was placed at the top of the world Aquatics points table. Aryan Nehra narrowly missed the universality spot, being a mere two points behind Srihari after his last qualification attempt in Canada.
Meanwhile, 14-year-old Dhinidhi Desinghu was leading the women’s table with 749 points. As no Indian swimmer achieved a direct qualification, SFI claimed the universality quota for both genders.
The Swimming Federation of India took to social media to congratulate both swimmers on making it to the Paris Olympics 2024.
"Congratulations to swimmers Dhinidhi Desinghu & Srihari Nataraj for being selected to represent India at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games under "Universality Quota" .. wishing them the very best. @Media_SAI," SFI tweeted.
Dhinidhi Desinghu secures maiden Olympic appearance
Dhinidhi Desinghu, 14, is all set for her first-ever Olympic appearance at the Paris 2024 Games.
In February, Dhinidhi Desinghu produced a record-breaking swim that helped her clock the 'Best Indian Time' in the girl's 100m freestyle event as she went on to bag a fourth-place finish at the 11th Asian Group Aquatics Championships in the Philippines.
The young talented swimmer went past the previous record of 57.35s, which was set by Kenisha Gupta. Therefore, she clocked a new Indian best time of 57.33s competing in the 'C' category at New Clark City in Capas, Philippines.
Her overall performance also proved to be better than Olympian Maana Patel (58.42s) and Shivangi Sharma (59.05s) in the same event.
A national record holder in women's 200m freestyle, Dhinidhi has been in impeccable form in 2024. She has two gold and two silvers in events across Singapore, India, and Malaysia.