CHENNAI: The 26-member athletics team announced for the Tokyo Games has a strong representation from Tamil Nadu. For the first time, five from the state --- Arokia Rajiv, Naganathan Pandi (both in men's 4x400m relay), Revathi Veeramani, Subha Venkatesan and S Dhanalakshmi (all in 4x400m mixed relay) --- have been named in the athletics squad for the high-profile event. Rajiv, Dhanalakshmi and Subha hail from Trichy, while Revathi and Naganathan are from Madurai and Ramanathapuram districts respectively. The team was finalised after a selection trial conducted in Patiala on Sunday.
"Once the trials got over on Sunday, we were informed of our selection for the Olympics. Three TN women athletes being part of the squad was a huge high for each one of us. But for us, the real test will begin now as we want to give nothing but our best at the biggest event for any athlete," Dhanalakshmi told TOI.
The Trichy girl, who lost her father early in life while her mother works in a farm, is in the middle of a memorable season. She beat seasoned campaigner Dutee Chand in the women's 100m final at the Federation Cup in March. She was third in the trials on Sunday with a timing of 54.27 seconds while her statemates Revathi (53.55) and Subha (54.26) finished first and second respectively.
"Being named in the Olympics is a big honour for us and to be featuring with the world's best is something we all are looking forward to," Revathi pointed out.
Having lost her parents early in her life, she was supported by her grandmother. "If not for her belief in me, I wouldn't be here at all," Revathi said. For Subha, qualifying for Tokyo was the culmination of the hard yards she has put in over the years.
"The Tokyo qualification is a responsibility on our shoulders to do well. Our preparations have been good and we hope to deliver a strong performance," said Subha. Her father works as a construction worker while mother is a housewife. In a bid to keep themselves motivated, the trio have been watching videos Jamaican sprint ace Usain Bolt. "We usually watch these videos just to help stay in a good space mentally. Bolt's races are all delivering strong performances at the highest level and there is so much we all can learn," Dhanalakshmi mentioned.
In the men's trials, Naganathan (48.24 seconds) came third. Sarthak Bhambri was first (47.73 seconds) followed by Alex Antony (47.83). "I am thankful to my parents who gave me the freedom to explore what I was good at. By the time I crossed high school, I knew my calling was in athletics," said Naganathan, whose parents are farmers. Currently employed as a constable with the Tamil Nadu police, Naganathan --- during the first wave of Covid-19 last year --- trained at the Rajarathinam Stadium in Chennai. "Not missing my training sessions during that period helped me stay in shape. I would go to the stadium by 4 am for my training and put in that extra effort which came in handy once the events commenced this year," Naganathan stated.
Rajiv, who is headed for his second Olympics, believes the team will make a mark. "We have a strong team. It will all boil down to how we hold our nerve and deliver a strong performance on that given day," he said.
