“Consistent performance will be rewarded” - AFI president Adille Sumariwala on selecting relay teams for Paris Olympics 2024

Athletics Federation of India (AFI) president Adille Sumariwala has stated that consistent performers throughout the season will be rewarded with Paris Olympics 2024 quotas in the relay teams. However, sudden performances might not be taken into consideration.

Indian quarter-miler Kiran Pahal created headlines after her consecutive excellent performances in the semi-final and final of the women’s 400m event at the Inter-State National Athletics Championships in Panchkula, Haryana.

Though she earned her individual quota after breaching the entry standard of 50.95 seconds, she is also looking for the 4x400m relay quota if AFI permits. However, as per the AFI’s guidelines, only national campers will be allowed to make the cut.

“Consistent performance will be rewarded. As per policy, performance during past three-four competitions including Inter-State meet will be considered to select members of relay teams. Any sudden performance might not be taken into consideration,” Sumariwalla told Hindustan Times.

National campers under pressure ahead of Paris Olympics relay squads selection

Another Haryana athlete Deepanshi was distant second, clocking 52.01 seconds. Interestingly, both Kiran and Deepanshi are not part of the national camp and as per the AFI’s selection criteria, they might not be considered for Paris 2024 selection in relay squads.

Interestingly, both Haryana girls Kiran and Deepanshi have picked up the pace in the run-up to the Paris Olympics. Both of them had put up decent performances in the State Athletics Meet as well before the Panchkula Meet.

Notably, Indian men’s and women’s 4x400m relay teams have already secured their Paris Olympics 2024 quota after their exceptional performances at the World Athletics Relays in the Bahamas.

Though the men’s squad selection looks straightforward for the AFI, the women’s team selection might turn out to be difficult as these two in-form Haryana girls have put a lot of pressure on the national campers.

Both the squads will have six members for the quadrennial event. Jyothika Sri Dandi, MR Poovamma, Aishwarya Mishra, Prachi, Vithya Ramraj, Rupal Chaudhary, and Subha Venkatesan were part of the Indian 4x400m women’s squad in the Bahamas meet. If the 4x400m mixed relay team makes the cut, we might see more berths open up.