Srihari Natraj becomes second Indian swimmer to qualify for Tokyo Olympics

Srihari Natraj becomes the second Indian swimmer to qualify for Tokyo Olympics after his 53.77 seconds effort in the 100m Backstroke event in a time trial at the Settecolli Swim Meet here in Rome was ratified on Wednesday, confirmed SAI. The Olympic qualification time (A time) for the 100m Backstroke event was set at 53.85 seconds.

Earlier on Saturday, Sajan Prakash became the first Indian swimmer to qualify for the upcoming Olympics as he clocked 1:56:38 in men's 200m butterfly at the Sette Colli Trophy. The qualification cut-off was 1:56:48. This is the very first time that two Indian swimmers have earned automatic qualification for the Olympics.

"@srihari3529 becomes the 2nd Indian #swimmer to qualify for #Tokyo2020 His timing of 53.77 in a men's 100m backstroke time trial in Rome last week has been ratified. The qualification mark was 53.85. Many congratulations! #Cheer4India," SAI Media tweeted.

Participation in swimming events at the Olympics Games Tokyo 2020 is being governed by the qualification pathway published by the world body of aquatics viz FINA. The FINA qualification pathway provides for two (2) qualification times i.e. Olympic qualification time (A time) and Olympic Selection time (B time).

Any swimmer achieving the A time at a FINA-approved competition within the qualification period will get an automatic berth for the respective event. Any swimmer achieving the B time in a similar fashion may receive an invitation by FINA to participate depending on the remaining quota places to be decided after accounting for all A quota, relay only, and Universality Places.

The FINA qualification pathway provides for "Universality Place" for one man & one woman, provided no swimmer from the country has achieved an A qualification time.

Earlier last week, the Swimming Federation of India (SFI) had announced Srihari Nataraj and Maana Patel as their nominations for the Universality Places which are now void as two Indian swimmers have achieved A qualification time.

( With inputs from ANI )