Hima Das etched her name in the history of Indian athletics by clinching the top spot in the women's 400m final race at the IAAF World Under-20 Athletics Championships in Tampere, Finland.
Follow Us
Track and field sensation Hima Das, who became a household name in India following her historic gold medal win at the 2018 IAAF World U20 Championships, has been removed from India’s Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). As per a report from Amar Ujala, the Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) undertook a revision of the TOPS roster this month which led to Hima’s exclusion. Hima Das etched her name in the history of Indian athletics by clinching the top spot in the women’s 400m final race at the IAAF World Under-20 Athletics Championships in Tampere, Finland. Following this, she was included in the TOPS list in May 2018, as part of India’s strategy for the Tokyo Olympics 2020.
However, for a while now, Hima hasn’t been spotted in the front rows of significant international contests. Her absence from the upcoming Asian Games will only add to the setbacks. She only made appearances in two events during her limited competitive season this year. Radhakrishnan Nair, the head coach of India’s athletics team, said Hima’s chances of competing in the Asian Games were eliminated due to a hamstring injury.
Read More-‘I wish our athletes were mentally strong’ – Indian Athletics chief coach P. Radhakrishnan
Hima Das withdrew from the inaugural Indian Grand Prix 2023 earlier this year owing to the same problem. She suffered the injury on April 15, 2023, during the Indian Grand Prix 4, which has prevented her from competing ever since then. She had to cancel her participation from both the ongoing Asian Athletics Championships 2023 and the Inter-State Athletics Championships 2023 owing to her injuries.
The Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), initiated by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, is aimed at assisting India’s premier athletes in their quest for podium finishes at top international sporting events. The selection of this scheme is based on an athlete’s potential to deliver strong performances on the global stage. The latest figures on the Sports Authority of India (SAI) website indicates a total of 98 Indian athletes forming the Core group of TOPS athletes, with an additional 165 athletes in the Developmental group. Athletes under this scheme receive a monthly stipend for expenses associated with training, diet, coaching, and other related aspects.
Read More-
Indian Grand Prix 3, Athletics: How did Murali Sreeshankar and Hima Das perform?
Who is Dutee Chand’s girlfriend, Monalisa Das?
Asian Athletics Championships 2023: How to watch, Indian contingent, schedule, and more
European Athletics U23 Championships 2023: LIVE Streaming, When and Where to Watch, Schedule, and More
