The Hindu : Sport / Athletics : Manjeet’s training in U.S. to be delayed

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Friday, Mar 28, 2008
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Manjeet’s training in U.S. to be delayed

NEW DELHI: Though she has received a substantial sponsorship to train in the US, Manjeet Kaur is not leaving the country immediately because of the ongoing preparations of the 4x400-metre relay team for Olympic qualification.

The Punjab athlete left for Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday to join the rest of the relay team probables.

The relay team is expected to make a serious attempt at qualification during the Asian Grand Prix series in the last week of June. In order to make it to Beijing a relay team will need to figure in the top 16 of the world, based on two best timings achieved during 2007-2008 in designated meets.

With Manjeet being in the 53-54-second bracket for the 400 metres at the moment, the chances of her quickly attaining the 52.35-second standard required for Olympic qualification, even with a hurried stint of training in the US, are being discounted.

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has advised her to delay her departure for the US till the Olympic qualification business is sorted out or even up to the Olympics. The AFI is of the opinion that she could plan in advance next season towards her preparations for the 2010 Commonwealth Games. — Special Correspondent

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