AFI announces last event for Rio qualifications

PUNE: The Indian contingent for the Rio Olympics has touched the century mark for the first time ever. But still there are some athletes, who have not made it to the Rio Games in August.
The track and field athletes will get a last chance to qualify for the Games, as the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) will be conducting the third Indian Grand Prix on July 10-11.
This will be the last chance for athletes participating in those events, where Indians have strong chances of achieving the qualification standards for the Rio Games.
The official deadline for qualification in athletics for the Games is July 11.
While the Grand Prix will benefit all the Rio aspirants, it will be a big boost for the 4x400 men and women’s relay teams.
According to the qualification criteria, the relay teams need to be within top 16 of the world ranking. While the women’s team are 13th right now, the men’s team are placed 25th.
At present, both the teams are participating in the ongoing National Athletics championships in Hyderabad. While a good performance in Hyderabad will strengthen women’s ranking, it will also help the men’s team improve their place.
“Through the 3rd Gran Prix, the men’s team will get one more chance to improve their ranking and come into the top-16 bracket,” an AFI source in Hyderabad said.