In a historic achievement, Avinash Sable became the first Indian man to qualify for the 3000m steeplechase final at the Paris Olympics, finishing fifth in his heat with a time of 8:15.43 minutes. Despite the timing being below his best effort of 8:09.91 minutes, which he clocked at the Paris Diamond League last month, Sable’s performance was enough to secure his spot in the final. The top five athletes from each of the three heats automatically qualified for the final.
Morocco’s Mohamed Tindouft won Sable’s heat with a timing of 8:10.62 minutes, followed by Ethiopia’s Samuel Firewu (8:11.61 minutes) and Kenya’s Abraham Kibiwot (8:12.02 minutes). Ryuji Miura of Japan finished fourth with a time of 8:12.41 minutes. Sable, who led the first two laps, strategically slowed down but maintained his position in the leading pack, ultimately securing his place in the final.
Avinash Sable Makes History by Reaching 3000m Steeplechase Final
In contrast, quarter-miler Kiran Pahal failed to secure an automatic berth in the women’s 400m semifinals, finishing seventh in her heat with a time of 52.51 seconds, which was below her personal best of 50.92 seconds. World champion Marileidy Paulino of Dominica won the heat with a time of 49.42 seconds, while Aaliyah Butler (USA) and Susanne Gogl-Walli (Austria) followed.
The Paris Olympics introduced a new repechage round for all individual track events from 200m to 1500m, giving athletes who did not automatically qualify another chance to reach the semifinals. Pahal will participate in the repechage round on Tuesday, seeking a spot in the semifinals after narrowly missing out on direct qualification.
