Long jumper can be dropped from the Tokyo squad because of poor performance in TrialSnew Delhi: In what can be a setback for India even before their athletic campaign at the Tokyo Olympics has begun, the Indian Athletics Federation (AFI) on Thursday contemplate pulling out old Murali Jumper SreeShankar from the game on fitness problems.
Sources said Afi officials were left “surprised” when SreeShankar came with a leap of 7.48 million and 7.33 m on Wednesday during a fitness trial ahead of the troops’ departure for Tokyo.
He qualifies for the match by crossing the 8.22m qualification in March.
The squad is scheduled to go for the game in a few days.
AFI voters are scheduled to meet on Friday morning to decide Sreshankar’s fate.
SreeShankar has been eligible for the match with a leap of 8.26m in the Federation Cup in Patiala in March this year.
It is the best personally, the early 8.20m.
“Everyone who does not participate in citizens is asked to provide a fitness trial.
The Sreeshankar qualification is 8.26 m and we hope he comes with at least more than 7.95 million or 8m.
But he jumped 7.48.
The second best is 7.33.
These efforts are worse than those recorded in junior citizens.
So we were surprised and disappointed, “said the source to Ti.
“After the qualification for the Olympics, he didn’t jump at all.
Yesterday, the weather was nice and cold.
So it’s confusing to see his appearance.
The best is more than two feet shorter than the Olympic qualification mark.
When he was questioned, he had no answer to Dipped.
“When asked whether SreeShankar would take a flight to Tokyo, the source said:” If you are not fit, you have to come out.
You can’t go there and look worse than a junior at the Olympics.
You must keep the mind that this is Olympics and not only a few citizens.
“They said that although some of the performance of other athletes in the fitness trial was average, Sreshankar could not be explained.
When contacted, President Afi Faire Sumariwalla admitted that Sreshankar’s performance at the trial was “disappointing”.
“His fate will only be decided by the selection committee.
The members are Arsjuna Awardees and Olympians.
They are the best to call,” Sumariwalla added.