World Athletics Relays 2024: Indian men & women relay quartets secure Paris Olympic berths

Women’s team seizes second chance, men bounce back with powerful finish at World Athletics Relays.

Redeeming themselves after a disappointing start, India’s 4x400m relay teams secured Paris 2024 Olympic berths at the World Athletics Relays 2024 in Nassau, Bahamas on Sunday.

The Indian men’s and women’s quartets finished among the top 14 teams in their respective events, ensuring qualification spots for the upcoming Olympics. The Nassau meet served as a qualifying event, with the leading 14 teams across both relay disciplines earning coveted Paris 2024 entries for their nations.

The women’s 4x400m team comprising Rupal Chaudhary, MR Poovamma, Jyothika Sri Dandi and Subha Venkatesan seized the second chance and secured their qualification for Paris 2024 on Day 2 of the World Athletics Relays in Bahamas.

The women’s 4x400m team clocked in at 3:29.35 crossing the finish ahead of Brazil, Germany and Colombia, but behind Jamaica.

🇮🇳 UNSTOPPABLE QUEENS! 🏃‍♀️💨 Indian Women's 4x400m Relay squad has BOOKED their tickets to #Paris2024! In blistering performance at Qualifiers, Rupal, Jyothika, Poovamma, and Subha clocked scorching 3:29.35 to finish 2nd behind Jamaica📽️: World Athletics#WorldRelays2024 pic.twitter.com/U8jcQxRxdr

— Khel Now (@KhelNow) May 6, 2024

Rupal’s substitution for Vithya Ramraj provided a strong start for India, while Jyothika’s second leg helped seize control of the race. Poovamma and Subha’s steady runs ensured a secure second-place finish thereby assuring the quota in the process.

With veteran Arokia Rajv stepping up in place of Rajesh, the men’s 4x400m team bounced back once again securing a finish behind the USA, but ahead of Mexico and Kenya, ensuring their qualification for the Paris Olympics.

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Owing to the absence of Rajesh, India required a strong start from Anas once again and he delivered with a solid opening leg. Ajmal maintained the pace during the second leg, but Arokia had the crucial task of ensuring India stayed in contention during a crowded baton exchange. However, it was Amoj who seized control in the final leg. Despite needing to make up ground, he appeared composed and broke through in the final bend.

𝐎𝐋𝐘𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐂 𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐌 𝐔𝐍𝐋𝐎𝐂𝐊𝐄𝐃! 🔑🇮🇳 The Indian Men's 4x400m Relay team has punched their ticket to #Paris2024 in style.With a blazing 3:03.23, they finished behind USA to book an Olympic berth.📽️: World Athletics#ParisOlympics #WorldRelays #WorldRelays2024 pic.twitter.com/Rywc6xLEm8

— Khel Now (@KhelNow) May 6, 2024

Muhammed Anas, Muhammed Ajmal, Arokia Rajiv and Amoj Jacob clocked a season-best time of 3:03.23 and secured their automatic qualification.

In the second round of qualifying, the mixed 4x400m relay team opted not to start. This was likely a tactic to prioritize the readiness of both the men’s and women’s squads for their final chance at qualification.

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