Manali: The Indian contingent that represents the nation in Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics will be very small because only one athlete, Arif Khan, has received a ticket.
There is a possibility of one more athletes of women, Aanchal Thakur, qualification for the Olympics.
Only three athletes – all Alpine skiers – are trying to qualify Olympics abroad.
While Mohammad Arif Khan from Kashmir has received a quota for the 2022 Winter Olympics, Manali Youth Aanchal and Olympian Himanshu Thakur will participate in the qualifying race until mid-January.
According to sources, it will be very challenging for Himanshu to pass because Arif has obtained FIS (International Ski International Federation) points in the Dubai competition.
Arif has 16 races again in hand this season to strengthen his claim for the quota for the Olympics.
On the other hand, the season for Himanshu and Aanchal began to be very late because siblings struggled to fund their training and costs until October.
While there is still hope for Aanchal to qualify for the Olympics by performing well at the upcoming FIS accredited events, Himanshu must look extraordinary well to get the only quota for the Alpine ski program.
At present, Arif has ensured that he is the only athlete from India to bring a national flag at the winter Olympics held from February 4 to 20.
Because not many athletes trying to race qualifying, it is possible that, most, two athletes will represent the country.
Unfortunately, no athletes from India tried the event in addition to skiing.
Shiva Keshavan, who is the only luge athlete from the country, has announced to get out of sports as an active athlete.
At present, he coaches the International Luge Team in Beijing.
Arif, who tried hard to qualify for the Olympics for years, has won many medals in the domestic tournament.
Even though it was rigorous by the lack of funds, he managed to visit overseas for training and participated in an international skier to get FIS points needed.
He will participate in several more events to get more points for a better ranking.
“I was practicing in Austria.
I have worked hard on my technique.
I will take part in the qualifying race until January 15.
I am happy that I have qualified for the Olympics and will represent my country,” Arif said.
Indian Ski Secretary and Snowboard General Roopu Negi said Arif had qualified for the 2022 Olympics in just four races of a total of five.
“We are proud of him.
He has struggled for years.
Hopefully he will make the country proud.
We plan to train more young athletes with the help of top international coaches with the aim of winning a medal at the 2026 Olympics,” he said.