TOPS Core Group Named, Shivpal Singh and Dutee Chand included

As part India’s preparation for Tokyo Olympics 2021, 8 Track and Field athletes have been inducted into the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) Development Group on November 26. All the 8 members were inducted in the team, including names like Dutee Chand (Women’s 100m and 200m), KT Irfan (Men’s 20km walk) and Shivpal Singh (Men’s Javelin Throw), owing to their performance progression or high probability of qualification for the Olympics.

The other athletes who find their name in the list include Annu Rani (Women’s Javelin Throw), Arokia Rajiv (Men’s 400m and 4x400m relay), MR Poovamma (Women’s 400m and 4x400m relay), Alex Anthony (Men’s 400m and 4x400m relay) and Noah Nirmal Tom (Men’s 400m and 4x400m relay). 

Based on the performance review of existing 9 athletes of the TOPS group, including Hima Das, Tajinder Pal Singh Toor and Neeraj Chopra have been retained. Another 7 athletes also have been included in TOPS developmental group: Tejaswin Shankar (Men’s High Jump), Vithya R (Women’s 400m and 4x400m relay), Harsh Kumar (Men’s 400m and 4x400m relay), Sandra Babu (Women’s Triple Jump), Veeramani Revathi (Women’s 400m and 4x400m relay), Harshita Sehrawat (Women’s Hammer Throw) and Shaili Singh (Women’s Long Jump).