Swimmers Srihari Nataraj, Maana Patel nominated under ‘universality’ quota for Tokyo 2020

The Swimming Federation of India (SFI) has nominated backstroke specialists Srihari Nataraj and Maana Patel as India’s representatives under the ‘universality’ quota for the Tokyo Olympics next month.

The ‘universality’ quota lets a country send its athletes to the Olympics -- provided there are slots available -- when they don’t have anyone eligible to qualify.

Swimmers can qualify for Tokyo 2020 by achieving the Olympic Qualification Time (OQT) or the ‘A’ cut within the qualification period to get a direct entry to the Games for that respective event.

Swimmers who have achieved the Olympic Selection Time (OST) or the ‘B’ cut will then be invited depending on the remaining quota places after accommodating all the ‘A’ cut entrants.

Those nominated under the ‘universality’ method are eligible only if they have achieved the B cut time. However, this ‘timing’ requirement has been done away with owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Srihari Nataraj has achieved the B cut while Maana Patel has not. They will take part in the 100m backstroke events at Tokyo 2020.

Under the universality quota, a National Olympic Committee (NOC) can nominate one male and one female swimmer provided no other swimmer from the country has achieved the ‘A’ cut within the qualifying period.

With the last date to send the universality nomination set at June 20, the SFI decided to go with the top-ranked Indian swimmers in both the genders.

Srihari Nataraj and Maana Patel came up with fine performances in the 100m backstroke at the recently concluded Belgrade Trophy.

With the Olympic qualification open till June 27, it should be noted that if an Indian swimmer is to achieve a ‘A’ cut within this time frame, the universality nomination for the particular gender will be revoked. 

Moreover, the universality participation is subject to FINA’s approval.