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  Rio 2016: Athletes look to lift India spirits

Rio 2016: Athletes look to lift India spirits

PTI
Published : Aug 12, 2016, 2:01 am IST
Updated : Aug 12, 2016, 2:01 am IST

For a discipline that has given Indian athletes only the Olympian’s tag, the country’s track and field participants will begin their campaignhere on Friday with little hope to break the 116-year-old m

For a discipline that has given Indian athletes only the Olympian’s tag, the country’s track and field participants will begin their campaignhere on Friday with little hope to break the 116-year-old medal jinx.

Making his fourth successive Olympics appearance, a feat no other Indian athlete has achieved, discus thrower Vikas Gowda will start India’s campaign in athletics when he takes the field at the Olympic Stadium in the morning session.

Having produced 17.30m, the third best in the world, at the Indian Grand Prix, Bengaluru exactly two months ago, triple jumper Renjith Maheshwary is expected to share the spotlight.

India will also have representation in women’s sprint for the first time since 1980 with the young Dutee Chand, who has fought a landmark gender case beore qualifying, being the focus. In distance events, O.P. Jaisha, Sudha Singh and Lailta Babar would look to make it count.

Location: Brazil, Rio de Janeiro