Best relay team to miss Kochi meet

It is unlikely that one would get to see the best performance of the Indian 4x400m relay squads — particularly in the women’s — in the upcoming SAF Athletics championships on March 7 and 8 in Kochi.

Being the hosts, India are planning to field two teams in each of the categories. That will divide the top combination of athletes, which might effect the overall performance of the squad. It could also dilute the chance of getting a Beijing qualification mark in Kochi. That also means the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) wants to push the dates for relay qualification further back.

Tony Daniel, member of the organising committee, wasn’t sure of the composition of the teams, but said the AFI will field two teams in each group. “The team will be disclosed only prior to the competition,” he told The Indian Express.

The IAAF has set the qualification period for relay teams between January 1, 2007 to July 16, 2008. the 16 teams will be eligible for participation in Beijing based on the average of the two fastest times.