Paris Olympics 2024 – Avinash Sable : Indian athlete Avinash Sable has qualified for the men’s 3000m steeplechase final at the Paris 2024 Olympics, marking a historic achievement in his career. The final will take place on August 8th at the prestigious Stade de France.
Let’s have a look into more details: Paris Olympics 2024 – Avinash Sable
Sable’s Journey to the Final
Avinash Sable’s qualification journey was nothing short of thrilling. Competing in the second heat of the steeplechase event, Sable clocked a time of 8:15.43 to secure fifth place, ensuring his spot in the final. The top five athletes from each heat advanced, and Sable’s strategic run kept him within the leading pack throughout the race.
Sable took an early lead in the race, maintaining his position for the first two and a half minutes. However, he faced fierce competition from Abraham Kibiwot of Kenya and Samuel Firewu of Ethiopia. Despite falling to fifth place after a challenging water jump, Sable’s determination saw him reclaim positions and eventually secure his spot in the final.
A Historic Achievement
This qualification is particularly significant for Sable, as it marks his first time reaching the Olympic final in his career. At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Sable narrowly missed out, finishing seventh in his heats despite being the fastest non qualifier across all heats. This time, he has surpassed his previous performance and made history as the first Indian man to qualify for the 3000m steeplechase final at the Olympics.
August 8th Final
On August 8th, Sable will take to the track once more, this time with his sights set on a medal. His journey to this point has been marked by dedication and resilience. Earlier this year, Sable set a personal best of 8:09.91 at the Paris Diamond League meeting, and he qualified for the Paris Olympics with a time of 8:11.63 at the Silesia Diamond League in Poland.
While Sable is considered a dark horse for the podium, his determination and strategic approach make him a formidable competitor. Reflecting on his qualification, Sable stated, “My goal was just to finish in the top five. In the final, I will give my best and improve on my time in the final lap. I don’t want to sound overconfident, but if we look at the results of the last two world championships and the last Olympics, I don’t think it’s difficult to finish on the podium.”
Sable’s Resilience and Strategy
Sable’s journey has been one of overcoming challenges. At the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, he faced disappointment when he failed to qualify for the final. This experience fueled his determination, and he has since adopted a mantra of running every race as if it’s his last. This mindset was evident in his qualifying heat at the Paris Olympics, where he strategically positioned himself at the front, ensuring he stayed clear of the pack and maintained a strong pace.
Sable’s qualification for the final is a redemption of sorts, particularly after his near miss at the Tokyo Olympics and his challenging experience at the World Championships. His presence in the final is a testament to his hard work, strategic planning, and unyielding spirit. As he prepares for the final, the entire nation will be cheering him on, hoping to see him achieve his dream of standing on the Olympic podium.
