The Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the National Sports Federations (NSFs) expect 73 athletes from 13 disciplines to make the cut for the London Olympics next year.
At a meeting here on Friday, it was brought to notice that 25 athletes have qualified for the Olympics so far. Details about three sports (weightlifting, rowing and swimming) were not known as the concerned federation officials could not attend the meeting due to other engagements.
The SAI urged the NSFs to keep track of the progress of the athletes who had qualified for the Olympics and show “adequate diligence” towards gaining more qualifications.
SAI Director-General Desh Deepak Verma suggested that unnecessary international exposure, which interfered in the peaking cycle of elite athletes, could be diverted for the second string athletes as this would create the bench strength.