Paris Olympics beckon: Indian relay teams seal 4x400m berths

Muhammed Anas Yahiya, Muhammed Ajmal, Arokia Rajiv, and Amoj Jacob (Pic: X)

The Indian men's and women's 4x400m relay contingents have clinched spots for the Paris Olympics, finishing second in their respective second-round heats at the World Athletics Relays held on Monday.

In the women's event, the quartet comprising Rupal Chaudhary, M R Poovamma, Jyothika Sri Dandi, and Subha Venkatesan clocked 3 minutes and 29.35 seconds to secure second place behind Jamaica (3:28.54) in heat number one, thus earning a ticket to the Games.

Subsequently, the men's team composed of Muhammed Anas Yahiya, Muhammed Ajmal, Arokia Rajiv, and Amoj Jacob posted a collective time of 3 minutes and 3.23 seconds to also claim second position in their heat, trailing behind the USA (2:59.95).

The top two teams in each of the three heats in the second round secured Olympic berths for the Paris Olympics scheduled from July 26 to August 11.

The qualification of the women's 4x400m team for the Olympics came as somewhat of a surprise, given that the focus had primarily been on the men's 4x400m squad, which had set an Asian record in consecutive global events - the Tokyo Olympics and the 2023 World Championships - as well as clinching gold at the 2023 Asian Games.

The Indian women's team had finished fifth in the first-round qualifying heat on Sunday, recording a time of 3 minutes and 29.74 seconds.

In contrast, the men's team had encountered setbacks in the first-round qualifying heat when Rajesh Ramesh withdrew midway due to cramps. Arokia Rajiv replaced Ramesh and ran the third leg after Anas and Ajmal.

Despite the men's team's timing on Monday falling short of their best, the focus remained on securing Olympic qualification. The Indian men's team had previously set an Asian record of 3:00.25 at the Tokyo Olympics before improving it to 2:59.05 during the 2023 World Championships. Monday's timing was below their previous record.

Also Read: Indian walkers Akshdeep, Priyanka qualify for Paris Olympics in mixed-relay

India had even put up a strong challenge against the formidable USA during the heat race at the 2023 Budapest World Championships before settling for second place.

Meanwhile, India withdrew from the mixed 4x400m relay second-round heats on Monday due to Ramesh's absence after suffering muscle cramps during the men's 4x400m first-round heat on Sunday. Ramesh had participated in both the mixed 4x400m and men's 4x400m races on Sunday.

India had featured in the mixed 4x400m relay at the Tokyo Olympics, where the event made its debut.

The Indian women's 4x400m relay team will be making a comeback to the Olympics after missing out in the Tokyo Games. This will mark the eighth appearance for the Indian women's 4x400m team, with their first participation dating back to the 1984 Games.

For the men's 4x400m team, this will be their fourth Olympic appearance, with their debut taking place at the 2000 Sydney Games.

With this development, India now boasts at least 19 track and field athletes bound for Paris, including defending javelin throw champion Neeraj Chopra, among others.

The athletics events at the Games are set to commence on August 1. A total of 70 teams have qualified for relay events at the Paris Olympics following two days of thrilling action at the World Athletics Relays in the Bahamas.

Fourteen teams in each of the five disciplines contested in Nassau - the women's and men's 4x100m and 4x400m relays, along with the mixed 4x400m - secured automatic berths for Paris. The first 40 qualified teams - eight in each of the five relay events - were confirmed on Sunday, with the final 30 teams securing qualification on Monday, following a second round of Olympic qualifying for teams that missed out on the first day.