'There was no pressure and I was taking it (Olympics) just like any other event. It was like I have played against these athletes before and there's no reason to worry. I was able to focus on my performance. That has helped me win gold.'
Star sprinter Hima Das is not losing her sleep over qualifying for the Olympics, having included cycling and a bit of cricket in her "medium-intensity" training regime while taking care to avoid the sweltering summer heat in Patiala.
'When the Olympics were postponed last year there were talks of the virus situation improving, but we are going from bad to worst.'
Summary of sports events and persons who made news on Thursday
Hima Das is the first top track and field athlete to have received the vaccine.
Bahrain, which had topped the 4x400 mixed relay final, was disqualified after Kemi Adekoya was handed a four-year ban by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for failing a dope test.
Recommended by the Athletics Federation of India, Bhanot fought through a 14-strong challenge in the elections to be picked as one of the five vice-Presidents during the AAA council on the eve of the Asian Championships in Wuhan.
Summary of sports events and persons who made news on Wednesday.
Triple jumper Renjith Maheshwary and shot putter Om Prakash Karhana were on Monday rendered doubtful for the upcoming Asian Games though the Athletics Federation of India is yet to take a final call on the matter.
A summary of sports events and persons who made news on Saturday
The controversy stoked by marathon runner O P Jaisha took an interesting turn with Indian athletics contingent's middle and long distance coach Nikolai Snesarev, on Thursday, asserting that she herself had said no when asked by him if she would need personalised refreshment during the race in the Rio Olympics.
The Sports Ministry has decided against conferring Renjith Maheswary the prestigious Arjuna award, as the triple jumper was found to have used a 'scheduled' substance (ephedrine) back in 2008.
The protest has been admitted by the jury of appeals which will give a ruling at 10am (local time) on Wednesday.
If reports are to be believed, a renowned track and field athlete from Haryana has failed a dope test conducted by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) last month.
Anahat Singh seals berth for World Junior Squash C'ship after topping selection trials
The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has pulled out dope-flunked shot putter P Udaya Laxmi from the home squad for the ongoing Asian Championships in Pune after testing positive for a banned substance.
Batra even suggested the Athletics Federation to consider extending the contracts of the coaches till the 2022 Asian Games and Commonwealth Games.
Ace sprinter Dutee Chand said the gold was an answer to her critics, who had written her off after her admission of same-sex relationship.
It was just a tad slower than the 3:15.71 clocked by the Indian team while winning gold in the Asian Games last year.
Javelin thrower Annu Rani and four-time Commonwealth Games medallist discus thrower Seema Antil Punia also have been recommended for the Arjuna Award.
With the Athletics Federation of India cold shouldering the eighth Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon to be held on January 16 next year, international athletics body AFI's representative would ratify the results, it was learnt.
Star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, who has qualified for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics, is returning home from his training base in Turkey owing to the coronavirus pandemic that has forced many countries to shut their doors to passengers arriving from outside. The 22-year-old Chopra has been training in Turkey for the last one month.
India women now lead the five-match series 4-0 after sealing the series in the third game.
P V Sindhu, will have to punch above its weight to salvage any hopes of a medal after being handed a tough draw in the badminton event at the 18th Asian Games.
Backing long-distance runner OP Jaisha's claim of having no support from the Indian officials at the recently concluded Rio Olympics, senior advocate and Rajya Sabha MP KTS Tulsi on Wednesday said that the incident revealed 'gross mismanagement' on the Centre's part.
'I could not reach the semifinals last time but I am hoping to reach the finals this time'
A summary of sports events and persons who made news on Tuesday.
Star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra qualified for the Tokyo Olympics with a throw of 87.86m at the ACNE League meeting in Potchefstroom, South Africa, making an impressive return after recovering from an elbow injury. The 22-year-old Indian, who missed the entire 2019 season due to the injury, breached the Olympic qualification mark of 85m in his fourth attempt and secured the top place at the international event on Tuesday.
Hima Das missed the Asian Championships mark on the final day of competition
India must start winning medals in "double digits" in the Olympics if it wants to realise the dream of hosting the 2032 Summer Games, Indian Olympic Association president Narinder Batra said.
Case to be re-opened, IAAF to return to CAS
A summary of sports events and sports persons, who made news on Wednesday
A summary of sports events and persons who made news on Wednesday.
A summary of sports events and sports persons, who made news on Thursday.
It is difficult to predict who among the Indians will reach the final
Hima dropped out midway through her 400m heats on April 21 at the Asian Championships due to lower back spasm and she was later ruled out of the women's 4x400m relay and mixed 4x400m relay races.
'The Centre should take the matter seriously and ensure creating an opportunity to Srabani Nanda and Amiya Mallick to participate in the Rio Olympics'
India's sprint sensation Dutee Chand's nomination for Arjuna award and cricketer Harbhajan Singh's nomination for Khel Ratna award were rejected by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
India was aiming for an Olympic qualification as the eight finalists get an automatic berth for next year's Tokyo Games.
Neeraj Chopra has been told by the SAI to stay at his hostel room without mixing up with other athletes at the NIS if he has to be at the premier sports facility of the country. He returned to India from Turkey on Wednesday.
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