Let us look at the qualification process for Athletics at Tokyo 2020!
Athletics at Tokyo: There will be 48 events at Tokyo in athletics. 24 for Men, 23 for Women and 1 mixed event. A total of 1900 athletes from across the world will participate. Here is the list of events:
A maximum of 3 athletes per country can enter an event. In relay events, a maximum of 1 team can enter per country.
How Qualification Works: Qualification can be achieved via 2 routes:
1. By achieving qualification standard for the event during the qualification period.
2. Qualify via World Ranking in the event, final rankings will be released on July 1, 2020.
In essence, after the qualification period is over, IAAF will look at the number of athletes who have qualified through entry standard and allocate rest of the quotas via rankings.
For team relay events, top 8 teams at 2019 World Championships qualify. Rest 8 teams qualify as per rankings.
In athletics, contrary to most other sports, quota is given to athlete instead of country. However, if a country has more than 3 qualified athletes in individual event, country can decide which 3 athletes will go.
Indian Qualification Scenario: Currently 3 Indian athletes have achieved qualification via achieving standard: Neeraj Chopra (Javelin throw), Avinash Sable (3000 m Steeplechase), K.T. Irfan (20 km walk). Along with this, 4X400 m Mixed relay team has also qualified.
Some of our athletes are close to achieving qualification standard like Jinson Johnson in 1500 m. Let us hope some more athletes achieve qualification mark.
Here is a look at athletes who are in with a chance to qualify via rankings:
| Event | Total Quotas available | Indian athlete in contention with current rank |
| 1500 m | 48 | Jinson Johnson (55) |
| 400 m Hurdles | 40 | MP Jabir (24) |
| 400m | 48 | Muhammed Anas (46) |
| Long Jump | 32 | Sreeshankar (34) |
| Shot Put | 32 | Tajinder Toor (28) |
| Javelin Throw | 32 | Shivpal Singh (16) |
| 100 m | 56 | Dutee Chand (53) |
| 200 m | 56 | Dutee Chand (41) |
| 1500 m | 45 | P.U. Chitra (46) |
| Javelin Throw | 32 | Annu Rani (13) |
| Heptathlon | 24 | Swapna Barman (22) |
Apart from this, India also has a chance for qualification in 4X400 m Men’s & Women’s relay team event.
Indian Athletics team size at recent Olympics:
Rio, 2016: 34
London, 2012: 14
Beijing, 2008: 16
Athens, 2004: 17
The qualification period is till 29th June, 2020 for all events except Marathon and 50 km race walk. For Marathon and 50 km race walk, qualification period is till 31st May, 2020.
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