After Dutee Chand set a milestone by qualifying for the Rio Olympics, the Indian men’s 4X400m relay team will be flying to Rio, later this year for the same. Not only that, but after ranking 17th on the race, the relay team has scored a worldwide record of having the second best timing of 3:00.9 in 2016.

Qualified at the Indian Grand Pix currently taking place in Bengaluru, the team consists of Mohammed Kunhi, Mohammed Anas, Dharun and Arokia Rajiv. They earlier clocked the record of 3:02.17 in Turkey, which is why this achievement doesn’t come up as a surprise.
In fact, until Monday, 2016 European Championships disclosed that the top three ranks consisted of Great Britain, Poland and Belgium. But now that India is already participating well at the Grand Pix, it seems like we will be competing rather exceptionally in Rio Olympics this year. In addition to this win, India will be seen competing in the sport of golf after 112 years at the Olympics, with golfers Anirban Lahiri and S.S.P Chawarasia representing the country.
The Athletics Federation of India Secretary C.K. Valson said to The Indian Express, “We are extremely delighted that 24 athletes have already qualified for the Rio Olympic Games in individual events and the women’s 4x400m relay team is ranked world No. 13 and fulfills the qualification criteria. On behalf of the AFI, I also take this opportunity to congratulate all those athletes who have already qualified and extend my best wishes to those who will be contention over the next two days.”
With a history that comprises of star performers like Milkha Singh and P T Usha, we are sure our new set of players will be able to shine in similar fashion, if not to the same extent.

Representational feature image courtesy of cricket country.com