New Delhi: The fastest Indian hurdler Jyoti Yaraji will achieve a special milestone when she takes to the track at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Jyoti, supported by Reliance Foundation, will be the first Indian woman to compete in the women’s 100m hurdles at the Olympics. The women’s 100m hurdles event has been a part of every Olympics since 1972, but this will be the first time an Indian athlete will be included in the preliminary list.
Nita Ambani wishes
“We are extremely happy and proud of our Reliance Foundation athlete Jyoti Yaraji, who has become the first Indian to qualify for the women’s 100m hurdles at the Olympics. Jyoti’s journey, her dedication and her incredible achievement are a testament to the power of dreams and relentless hard work. She embodies the spirit, talent and resilience of India’s youth,” said Nita M. Ambani, Founder and Chairperson, Reliance Foundation, in a press release issued by Reliance Foundation. “We at Reliance Foundation are committed to supporting Jyoti and all our young athletes in every way possible,” Nita Ambani added. We wish Jyoti and the entire Indian contingent all the best for the Paris Games! May they fly the tricolour high on the global stage representing the dreams, hopes and prayers of 1.4 billion Indians.”
Jyoti, the current national record holder in the event, is also the only Indian woman to win a medal in the women’s 100m hurdles event at the Asian Games, where she won a silver medal last year. She is the only Indian woman to finish below the 13-second mark and holds the record for the fastest ever time by an Indian in the category.
Jyoti’s personal best time is 12.78 seconds, which she achieved earlier this year at the Motonet GP in Finland despite a tough fight in the final hurdle. She recently won a gold medal at the Senior Inter-State Athletics Championships and continued her unbeaten run on Indian soil.
Her presence at the Olympics will not only pave the way for future generations of Indian female hurdlers, but also highlight the growing prominence of Indian athletes on the global stage. Jyoti’s achievements are a testament to the growing support and development of sports in India, especially through initiatives such as the Reliance Foundation. Her success will likely inspire more young athletes to pursue track and field, contributing to the overall growth and diversification of Indian sports.
