Dutee Chand, KT Irfan included in TOPS Core group for Tokyo Olympics

India's star sprinter Dutee Chand along with KT Irfan and six more track and field athletes were included in the core group of the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) while seven more athletes were included in the TOPS developmental group. The decision was taken at the 50th MOC meeting held on Friday.

READ | Star Sprinter Dutee Chand To Sell Her BMW Car For Meeting Training Expenses

Dutee Chand & KT Irfan in Tokyo Olympics

The decision to include athletes in the TOPS core group was based on their performance progression and their qualification or high probability of qualification for the Tokyo Olympics scheduled next year. 

The following athletes were inducted into the TOPS scheme: Shivpal Singh (Men’s Javelin Throw and qualified for Olympics), Annu Rani (Women’s Javelin Throw), KT Irfan (Men’s 20km walk and qualified for Olympics), Arokia Rajiv (Men’s 400m and 4x400m relay), Noah Nirmal Tom (Men’s 400m and 4x400m relay), Alex Anthony (Men’s 400m and 4x400m relay), MR Poovamma (Women’s 400m and 4x400m relay) and Dutee Chand (Women’s 100m and 200m). India earned an Olympic quota in the Mixed 4x400m relay at the 2019 World Championships.

READ | Dutee Chand Hopeful That Arjuna Award Will Help Her Qualify For Tokyo Olympics 2021

Following performance review, 9 athletes who are part of the TOPS scheme have been retained including Neeraj Chopra, Hima Das and Tajinder Pal Singh Toor. Triple Jumper Arpinder Singh was excluded from the TOPS scheme.

READ | Dutee Chand Hopes To Qualify For Tokyo Olympics Next Month

The following 7 athletes have been included in TOPS developmental group: Harsh Kumar (Men’s 400m and 4x400m relay), Veeramani Revathi (Women’s 400m and 4x400m relay), Vithya R (Women’s 400m and 4x400m relay), Tejaswin Shankar (Men’s High Jump), Shaili Singh (Women’s Long Jump), Sandra Babu (Women’s Triple Jump) and Harshita Sehrawat (Women’s Hammer Throw).

READ | People Look At Me And My Partner Differently, But It Doesn't Matter: Dutee Chand