The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has officially announced the final 29-member Indian athletics squad for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics. The announcement, made on July 17, includes two reserve athletes to bolster the team. The squad comprises a strong contingent of 18 men and 11 women athletes, representing the best of Indian athletics.
Initially, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) had named a 28-member squad, which included Shot Put athlete Abha Khatua. Khatua had secured her place in the team through the World Rankings route, a method of qualification for the Olympics. However, in a surprising turn of events, World Athletics, the governing body for athletics, has not included Khatua in the final and updated list of qualified athletes.
This exclusion has raised eyebrows within the Indian athletics community, as Khatua had met the criteria for qualification. The reasons behind her removal remain unclear, and the Indian Olympic Association is yet to issue a statement clarifying the situation.
Despite this controversy, the Indian athletics squad is determined to make its mark at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The athletes have been training tirelessly and are eager to showcase their talent on the global stage. The team’s performance will be keenly watched by fans across India, who are hoping for a successful showing at the Games.
