Who is Arokia Rajiv? All you need to know about India's 4×400m men's relay team athlete competing in the Paris 2024 Olympics
Arokia Rajiv is an Indian athlete who specializes in the 400-meter track event. After starting as a long jumper, Arokia Rajiv eventually took the advice of his coach and took track as his primary sport.
Born in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, Rajiv comes from a humble background and completed his education at the Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Lalgudi, and St. Joseph's College, Tiruchirappalli.
His career saw a rise in the Asian Games at Incheon, South Korea. Rajiv represented India in 400 m and clinched a bronze medal with a time of 45.92. However, he stood fourth in the 4x400m relay.
In 2016, Rajiv made headlines by winning two gold medals in the South Asian Games at Guwahit. His first gold was for the 400m individual and the second was for the 400x4 relay.
In the Asian Championships 2017 at Bhubaneshwar, Rajiv won a silver medal in 400m and a gold in the 4x400m relay. During the Asian Games in Jakarta in 2018, Rajiv won a silver medal for the men's 4x400m relay and a gold medal for the mixed 4x400m relay race.
Rajiv had a very disappointing end to the Olympics at Rio 2020. Rajiv, Muhammed Kunju, Muhammed Anas and Ayyasamy Dharun were disqualified in Heat 2 for the 4x400m relay race because of a faulty exchange of the baton. However, they will be hoping to have a positive outcome in the Paris Olympics 2024.
How did Arokia Rajiv qualify for the Paris Olympics 2024?
The Paris Olympics 2024 will see India's Arokia Rajiv, Muhammad Anas Yahiya, Muhammad Ajmal, and Jacob represent India in the 400x4m relay race. The team finished second in their heat at the World Athletics Relays and qualified for the Paris Olympics 2024. They are expected to perform at their best after an unfortunate result in the previous Olympics.
In the Paris Olympics 2024, India will have teams of both men's and women's teams in the 4x400m relay events. Rupal Chaudhary, M.R. Poovamma, Jyothika Sri Dandi, and Subha Venkatesan have qualified for the Summer Olympics 2024 after finishing in second place at the World Athletics Relays.