India’s 4x100m mixed relay team is facing a tense wait for World Relays qualification after slipping in the standings.

The team had initially secured a strong position, ranking 19th after clocking a national record time of 42.30 seconds at the Open Relays.

However, recent performances from other nations have changed the scenario. Nigeria, Kenya, Poland, and Ukraine have all recorded faster times, pushing India down to 23rd place — just inside the qualification cutoff of 24 teams.

With the qualification window still open until April 5, the situation remains uncertain. If two more teams post better timings, India risks dropping out of the top 24 and missing qualification for the World Relays in Gaborone.

The United States is also yet to register a qualifying time, which could further impact the final standings.

Sources indicate that India had targeted a sub-42 second run, but a baton exchange issue during the third leg cost valuable time in their record-setting race.

With qualification now hanging by a thread, all eyes are on upcoming races worldwide that could decide India’s fate.

The Athletics Federation of India has introduced new selection rules for the 2026 season, making participation in domestic competitions very important for athletes.
To compete in the 29th National Senior Athletics Federation Competition, athletes must take part in at least two AFI-organised events in 2026. For the 65th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships, athletes must compete in at least three events, including a state-level meet if it is held.
For the 65th National Open Athletics Championships, the rule is stricter. Athletes must participate in at least four competitions. One of these must be either the National Federation Cup, the Inter-State Championships, or any AFI event held after the Inter-State meet.
However, AFI has allowed some relaxation. Outstanding athletes who performed well in 2025 and are recovering from injuries can be given exemption, but only if they are under AFI observation.
Relay team selections will follow AFI’s existing policy.
Importantly, the National Federation Cup will act as the final selection trial for the Commonwealth Games and Asian U-23 Championships, while the Inter-State Championships will decide selection for the Asian Games.

Adam Gemili has officially announced his retirement from competitive athletics, bringing the curtain down on an accomplished career in sprinting.

The British athlete competed across the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m events, earning global recognition for his consistency and versatility.

Gemili’s achievements include a full set of medals at the World Championships in the 4x100m relay — gold, silver, and bronze — along with multiple European Championship titles.

He also claimed gold at the World Junior Championships and secured two silver medals at the Commonwealth Games.

Before fully committing to athletics, Gemili was also a talented footballer, representing Chelsea and Reading at the youth level.

His journey from dual-sport athlete to elite sprinter highlights a career defined by dedication, adaptability, and success on the international stage.

 

Cooper Lutkenhaus is set to make his Wanda Diamond League debut in the men’s 800m at the BAUHAUS-Galan meet in Stockholm on June 7.

The young middle-distance runner enters the race with growing momentum after becoming the youngest World Indoor Champion in history.

His debut at one of the premier meets on the global circuit marks a significant step in his transition to elite outdoor competition.

With the Diamond League stage known for high-quality fields, all eyes will be on Lutkenhaus to see how he performs against top international athletes.

This race could be an early indicator of his potential impact in the 800m this season.

Noah Lyles is set to return to Paris, the city where he made history, as he headlines the 100m at the Wanda Diamond League on June 28.

The Olympic champion will compete at Stade Charléty, a venue where he remains unbeaten.

Lyles has previously delivered standout performances at the stadium, clocking 9.97 seconds in the 100m in 2023 and an impressive 19.65 seconds in the 200m in 2019.

His return adds significant excitement to the Paris leg of the Diamond League, with fans eager to see if he can recreate his dominant form.

With a strong record at the venue and momentum from past successes, Lyles will once again be the athlete to watch on the track.

The Athletics Integrity Unit has handed a five-year ban to Kenya’s Albert Korir after he tested positive for CERA, a prohibited blood-boosting substance.

Korir, the 2021 New York City Marathon champion, returned positive results in three separate out-of-competition tests conducted in October 2025.

Both urine and blood samples collected on October 3, 13, and 21 confirmed the presence of CERA, an EPO-based substance banned at all times.

Initially facing a six-year ban due to multiple violations, the sanction was reduced to five years after Korir admitted the offence within four days of notification. His ban will run until January 7, 2031.

All results from October 3, 2025, onwards have been disqualified, including his third-place finish at the 2025 New York City Marathon, along with associated medals, prize money, and appearance fees.

The case underscores the continued vigilance of anti-doping authorities in endurance events, particularly concerning blood-boosting substances.

The 24th National Junior Under-20 Athletics Federation Competition 2026 will be held at Mahatma Gandhi Stadium in Tumkur, Karnataka, from April 24 to 26.

The event will bring together the country’s top junior athletes competing across track and field disciplines.

This competition holds significant importance as it will serve as the final qualification trials for the World Athletics U20 Championships 2026.

The global event is scheduled to take place in Eugene, Oregon, USA, from August 5 to 9.

With World Championship spots on the line, the Tumkur meet is expected to play a key role in shaping India’s junior athletics team for the international stage.

Anusha Biswas, the 2024 Junior Nationals 100m bronze medallist, has been banned for four years by NADA’s Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel (ADDP).

The 19-year-old sprinter was initially suspended in January 2025 after testing positive for Metandienone. She appealed the suspension, and her case was subsequently reviewed and adjudicated by the ADDP.

Biswas had recently broken the 12-second barrier at the Junior Nationals 2024, marking her as a rising sprint talent. Her four-year ineligibility period will be counted from January 8, 2025, sidelining her from all competitions until 2029.

The decision serves as a strict reminder of NADA’s zero-tolerance policy on doping, even among young and emerging athletes.

It turned into a heartbreaking day for India’s men’s 4x100m relay team at the Open Relays, as their qualification hopes ended in disqualification.

The team, aiming to secure a spot at the World Relays, was disqualified due to a takeover violation under World Athletics Technical Rule 24.7.

The incident occurred during the race when third-leg runner Manikanta suffered a hamstring issue, disrupting the baton exchange with anchor leg runner Animesh Kujur.

As a result, the baton exchange failed within the designated zone, leading to the disqualification.

In a surprising turn, the team was initially unaware of the decision and had begun warming up for the final before being informed.

Sources indicate that Maldives lodged a protest, although officials had reportedly already begun reviewing the incident prior to the appeal.

India had entered the race ranked 25th in the World Relays standings with a time of 38.75 seconds and needed 38.73 or faster to move into the top 24 — a target that appeared within reach.

Instead, the campaign ended in disappointment, marking a tough setback for a team that showed strong potential heading into the event.

India’s men’s 4x400m relay team delivered a solid performance at the Open Relays, clocking 3:01.43 and placing 16th overall — currently within the qualification zone for the World Relays 2026.

The team featured three athletes with sub-46 season bests: Rajesh Ramesh (45.26), Manu TS (45.96), and Amoj Jacob (45.99), underlining the growing depth in Indian quarter-mile running.

However, national record holder Vishal TK, who owns a personal best of 45.12, is yet to feature in the lineup. His inclusion could be crucial, provided he returns to sub-46 form in upcoming competitions.

A look back at India’s historic run at the 2023 World Athletics Championships offers a clear benchmark. That team, which broke the Asian record and finished fifth in the final, had four athletes capable of running sub-46 seconds.

The formula appears straightforward — to break the three-minute barrier again, India likely needs four runners consistently under 46 seconds.

With the current squad showing promise, the question now is whether they can bridge that final gap and return to sub-3 territory this season.