2024 Paris Olympics: Kiran Pahal Wins an Unexpected Spot in the Women's 400 Meters

Athlete Kiran Pahal of Haryana unexpectedly qualified for the Olympics in the women's 400-meter race by beating the 50.95-second automatic qualifying standard. On the first day of the National Inter-State Championships, she reached the finish line in a mere 50.92 seconds. Despite obstacles, Kiran's willpower and her late father's encouragement helped her accomplish this incredible feat. Eight years have passed since Nirmal Sheoran's 2016 Rio Games, making her the first female quarter-miler from India to earn an Olympic berth.

Kiran, demonstrating her outstanding pace and personal best from 2022, won her semifinal heat, finishing ahead of Gujarat's Devy Aniba Zala in 53.44 seconds and Kerala's Sneha K in 52.33 seconds.

After accomplishing the goal, Kiran thanked everyone and said, "It surprises me. I never imagined that I would be able to qualify and be ready for the Olympics. This is the greatest accomplishment there is. In the preliminary heats, I was racing after around a year, so I was under some strain. I was aware that the semifinals include superior runners, so if I performed well in the heats, I would perform better there."

Kiran, an Indian athlete who trains in Rohtak, is prepared to join the 4*400m relay squad upon request from the Indian Athletics Federation. Kiran will compete against top quarter-milers Jyothika Sri Dandi, Subha Venkatesan, and Deepanshi on Friday in the medal round despite having several hamstring issues.