After Asian Games success, AFI sets eye on Olympics

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Sarita Gayakwad, Hima Das, Vismaya and Poovamma Raju celebrate after winning the gold medal in the women's 4x400m relay. PTI

Mumbai: Terming the success achieved in track and field events at the Asian Games as just the beginning, Athletics Federation of India (AFI) president Adille Sumariwalla has said that the association has shortlisted some events from which an Olympic medal can come in future.

"We want to continue at this pace. We had a meeting of the coaches and have shortlisted some events we could open account at the Olympic Games," Sumariwalla told reporters here.

He was speaking on the sidelines of a function organised at the Bombay Gymkhana to felicitate members of the mixed bridge team that won bronze medal at the Asian games.

Indian track and field athletes clinched 19 medals, including seven gold, in the just-concluded Asian Games in Jakarta.

Sumariwalla, a former Olympian himself, though did not specify which events have been short-listed by the AFI.

"I am 100 per cent confident that if we continue the way we have planned, we will open our account in Tokyo (Olympics)," the AFI president said.

India is yet to win an athletics medal in the Olympics.

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