Asian Games gold medallist Annu Rani and Asian athletics champion Jyothi Yarraji have successfully secured athletics quotas for the Paris 2024 Olympics via their world rankings. The qualification window for athletics events closed on June 30, and World Athletics officially confirmed the final Road to Paris 2024 standings on Tuesday.
Athletes had two ways to secure Paris 2024 quotas: by meeting the entry standard for their events or by ranking within the cutoff in the Road to Paris rankings after the qualification window closed.
Annu Rani, a javelin thrower, secured her spot by finishing 21st in the Road to Paris rankings, where the top 32 athletes advance to the Summer Games. Jyothi Yarraji, competing in the women’s 100m hurdles, finished 34th to make the cutoff, which included the top 40 athletes. Both athletes hold national records in their respective events.
Tajinderpal Singh Toor, a two-time men’s shot put Asian champion, also secured a quota by ranking 23rd in his event. In the women’s shot put, Asian Championships silver medallist Abha Khatua achieved a similar rank. The top 32 in the Road to Paris rankings for both events earned quotas.
Parul Chaudhary, ranked 34th in the women’s 5000m event, also secured a quota as the cutoff was set at 42. Additionally, she met the qualification standard for the women’s 3000m steeplechase with a time of 9:15.31 in Hungary last year, surpassing the required 9:23.00.
In men’s triple jump, two Indian athletes, Abdulla Aboobacker and Praveen Chithravel, made the 32-man cut. Aboobacker is ranked 21st, while Chithravel is ranked 23rd.
Sarvesh Kushare secured a quota in the men’s high jump by finishing 23rd in a cutoff list of 32. However, Tejaswin Shankar, at 37th, did not make the shortlist.
India’s men’s long jump national record holder Jeswin Aldrin narrowly missed the cutoff, finishing 33rd. Nevertheless, his compatriot Murali Sreeshankar, who met the entry standard last year and is seventh on the list, is expected to miss the Paris 2024 Olympics due to an injury, potentially lifting Jeswin into the top 32.
In the men’s 20km race walk, Suraj Panwar secured his place through the Road to Paris rankings. Akshdeep Singh, Paramjeet Singh Bisht, Ram Baboo, and Vikash Singh had already met the entry standard, and India can send a maximum of three among these five athletes.
National Olympic Committees (NOCs) have exclusive authority over the representation of their countries at the Olympic Games. Thus, an athlete’s participation in the Paris Games depends on their NOC’s selection.
Previously, India secured 14 quotas in athletics through either meeting entry standards or making the cut in designated qualifying competitions.
Indians who secured olympic quotas through road to Paris athletics rankings
Jyothi Yarraji – Women’s 100m hurdles
Annu Rani – Women’s javelin throw
Tajinderpal Singh Toor – Men’s shot put
Abha Khatua – Women’s shot put
Praveen Chithravel – Men’s triple jump
Abdulla Aboobacker – Men’s triple jump
Sarvesh Kushare – Men’s high jump
Parul Chaudhary – Women’s 5000m
Suraj Panwar – Men’s 20km race walk
