Indian athletes to begin their Olympics preparations in a training cum competition tour of Turkey

Ace Indian athlete Hima Das along with javelin thrower Neeraj Copra, Shivpal Singh, relay racers (both 4x100m and 4x400m men and women) and several others will begin their Olympics preparations on a training cum competition tour of Turkey later this month, announced the national federation.

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Hima Das, who won a silver in individual 400m, gold in both women’s and mixed 4x100m relays in the 2018 games, will train for the 4x100m relay.

"We have got clearance from the SAI for this training-cum-competition tour of Turkey. It is a 40-odd contingent including the coaches. We are not getting a training base in Europe because of various reasons, so we have decided on Turkey," Hindustan Times quoted Athletics Federation of India President Adille Sumariwalla.

Sumariwalla also confirmed that athletes will participate in several competitions and will have an opportunity to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics.

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"The athletes will also take part in some competitions in Turkey and those who have not yet qualified for Olympics can qualify. The facilities are top class and the weather is good there," he added.

The Indian athletes have previously trained in Turkey ahead of the 2016 Rio Olympics. The Indian relay team will head to Poland post their Turkey tour to participate in the World Athletics Relays. Top 8 teams will get an automatic qualification for the Tokyo Olympics. However, the Indian 4x400m relay team have already qualified for the Olympics after reaching the final of the 2019 World Championship in Doha.

Neeraj Chopra and Shivpal Singh are also expected to take part in the Diamond League Meetings in Rabat, the capital of Morocco in May.