Who is the youngest Indian in the contingent at the Paris 2024 Olympics?
The Paris 2024 Olympics are just a month away and India's preparations for the Games are in full swing, with more and more athletes confirming their spots. Swimmer Dhinidhi Desinghu is also among the athletes set to represent India in Paris.
At the age of 14, teenager Dhinidhi is set to be the youngest Indian athlete at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Hailing from Bengaluru, Karnataka, she secured her berth through the Universality Quota system, as announced by the Swimming Federation of India on Wednesday, June 26, 2024.
Desinghu was also the youngest female swimmer to win seven gold medals at the National Games in 2023. This will be the first-ever appearance at an Olympic Games for the 14-year-old as she now gears up for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The Universality Quota system lets countries recommend two of its highest-ranked swimmers for the Games if none qualify through the regulation process.
The Swimming Federation of India (SFI) claimed the "universality places" for both genders as no Indian swimmer could make the cut for the Paris Games or receive a FINA invite based on his or her Olympic Selection time (B time).
"No Indian swimmer achieved the direct qualification, so SFI claimed the "universality places" for both genders," SFI secretary-general Monal Chokshi was quoted as saying by PTI
"We sent the names of the two-highest ranked male and female swimmers and have received the confirmation regarding their participation," he added.
Dhinidhi Desinghu is in commendable form ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics
Set for her maiden Olympic appearance at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Dhinidhi has displayed phenomenal form in recent times.
She produced a record-breaking swim while finishing fourth in the girls' 100m freestyle event at the 11th Asian Group Aquatics Championships held in February earlier this year.
The 14-year-old swimmer clocked a new Indian best time of 57.33s competing in the 'C' category at New Clark City in Capas, Philippines. She broke the previous record of 57.35s which was held by Kenisha Gupta. Her performance was also better than Olympian Maana Patel's (58.42s) and Shivangi Sharma's (59.05s) in the same event.
Dhinidhi is a national record-holder in the women's 200m freestyle. She has won two gold and as many silver medals this year across events in Singapore, India, and Malaysia.
She is also the highest-ranked athlete among the female swimmers with 749 points, thus securing her spot for the Paris 2024 Olympics as well.