The mixed 4x400m relay team comprising of Rajesh Ramesh, Rupal, Avinash Krishna Kumar, and Jyothika Sri Dandi started off for India at the Thomas A Robinson Stadium but finished in sixth place in heat 2 with a timing of 3:20.36. Meanwhile, the Indian men’s 4x400m relay team, led by Muhammed Anas Yahiya, Rajesh Ramesh, Muhammed Ajmal, and Amoj Jacob, who had previously won gold at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games and hold national and Asian records, did not complete their race in heat 4. Anas ran an impressive 45.93 in the opening split before Ramesh had to stop due to an injury.
In contrast to the disappointment of the men’s teams, Botswana and South Africa secured Paris 2024 qualification by topping their heat in the men’s and women’s events respectively. The Indian women’s team of Vithya Ramraj, MR Poovamma, Jyothika Sri Dandi, and Subha Venkatesan finished fifth in heat 1 with a time of 3:29.74.
Although they missed out on an Olympic quota on Sunday, the Indian athletes have another chance on Monday. Teams that do not qualify for the finals will have a chance to compete in an additional qualifying round where the top two teams from each heat earn a spot at Paris 2024.
If they don’t secure an Olympic quota at World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24 this week or fail to make it through Monday’s qualifying round, they can still qualify for Paris based on their performance during the qualification period from December 31st
