Swimmers Srihari Nataraj and Dhinidhi Desinghu have been selected to represent India at the upcoming Paris Olympics via the Universality Quota, as announced by the Swimming Federation of India (SFI). This special quota allows countries to recommend their highest-ranked swimmers if none qualify through the standard process.
Srihari Nataraj’s consecutive Olympic appearance
Nataraj, a seasoned swimmer, previously qualified for the Tokyo Summer Olympics with an ‘A’ standard qualification time in the men’s 100m backstroke. He currently tops the world Aquatics points table with 849 points. In Paris, he will compete in the men’s 100m backstroke event.
In the year 2021, Nataraj, along with seasoned swimmer Sajan Prakash, made history by becoming the first Indian swimmer to achieve the Olympic Qualification Timing (OQT) ‘A’ level, directly qualifying for the Tokyo Games.
Dhinidhi, a remarkable 14-year-old talent, leads the women’s table with 749 points. Her selection marks her maiden Olympic venture, and she will participate in the women’s 200m freestyle event. She has been in phenomenal form in 2024, winning two gold and as many silvers in events across Singapore, India and Malaysia.
🏊♂✅ 𝗗𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗱𝗵𝗶 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗵𝘂 & 𝗦𝗿𝗶𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗶 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗷 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘀! Many congratulations to them on securing their #Paris2024 places, through the Universality quota .
👏🏻 Dhinidhi will be the youngest Indian athlete at the Paris Olympics.
👉🏻 Follow… pic.twitter.com/Z5dYnYc1zx
— India at Paris 2024 Olympics (@sportwalkmedia) June 26, 2024
Notably, no Indian swimmer achieved direct qualification, prompting the SFI to secure these “universality places” for both genders. Let’s cheer for Srihari and Dhinidhi as they represent India on the global stage.
Also Read: Hockey India announces 16-member men’s squad for the Paris Olympics
