The Dhing Express has to wait!

The Indian national record holder for the 400m sprint – Hima Das has been forced to withdraw from the Tokyo Olympics 2021.

The 21-year-old had a promising start to her career as she became the first Indian to win a medal in the IAFF World under 20 Championship.

While Hima Das had sustained a hamstring injury while running in 100m heats for a 100m race. This was the inter-state Athletics championship at Patiala. The women’s 4x100m team clocked 44.15 seconds in the National Inter-State Athletics Championships which was outside the targeted time of 43.03 seconds.

This setback has forced Hima to withdraw her participation from the Tokyo Olympics 2021. This will be a massive loss for the Indian track and field contingent.
Besides her individual record in the 400m event, she is also a key member of the women’s 4×400m relay! She had won both mixed relay as well as women’s relay, at the IAFF World U20 Championships.

Hima, at 21, was India’s brightest gold medal prospect from the Athletics events. And it’s disappointing to see her miss out. Post-Independence India has not won a single medal in Track and Field events. Her absence of Hima at the Olympics will perhaps increase the wait.

However, the 21-year-old Hima Das has said that she is hopeful she will recover soon and bounce back. She is fully aware that she has the responsibility of winning the 400m events for India and we all need to pray for Hima’s speedy recovery.

Our star athlete missing out on the Tokyo Olympics 2021 is certainly a huge disappointment for the country, Nevertheless it does not take away our hopes of winning some medals.

We go into the Olympics with hopes of returning with a few medals as ace sprinter. Dutee Chand is in contention to win the 100m and 200m events! Dutee is the first Indian to win a gold medal in a 100m race in a global competition. Although she was not able to perform up to the mark in the 2016 Olympics, Dutee this time would be aiming to qualify for the finals and grab a medal for the country. The country needs to unite and support the athletes and cheer them up. It is the biggest stage where these athletes from humble backgrounds can showcase their talent. Alongside with their exemplary performances, make India and Indians proud!

Dutee has qualified with flying colours for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics in both 100m and 200m races via the World Rankings quota on Wednesday.
22 spots were available in 100m and 15 spots in 200m via the World Rankings route in Tokyo Olympics. Dutee Chand’s overall position of World No. 44 in 100m. And World No. 51 in 200m were well within the ranks to make her eligible to fly to Tokyo next month.

Let’s all hope our never ending wait for a track and field Olympic medal doesn’t last much longer.
Also, the great Milkha Singh is looking over these athletes, let’s hope his blessings pave the way for Indian dominance.

Know there schedule here