We've hit a hundred days to go until the Paris 2024 Olympic Games! It's time to start getting excited about the Games, with the next few months filled with last chance qualifiers and preparatory events. Here's a schedule of the best sporting events to look forward to in the next 100 days, including but certainly not limited to, the remaining opportunities for Indian athletes to qualify.
Legend
Bold: Keep an eye out for Indians in this event
OQE: Olympic qualifying event or deadline - regional or global
April
Mar 31 - Apr 11: Weightlifting - IWF World Cup 2024 (OQE)
Last chance Olympic qualifier, featuring Mirabai Chanu. Best weightlifting competition of this Olympic cycle
Apr 3 - 23: Chess - FIDE Candidates Tournament 2024
Tournament to decide challenger for the World Championship. 3 Indians on the men's side, 2 on the women's
Apr 11 - 19: Shooting - Final Olympic Qualifier Rifle/Pistol (OQE)
Last chance for Olympic qualification in Rifle & Pistol events. Indian women will look to complete quota with 2nd spot in the 10m air pistol
Apr 15: Track Cycling - Olympic Qualifying Rankings (OQE)
Rankings for Paris qualification to be finalised
Apr 16 - 17: Football - UCL Quarters 2nd Leg
Four thrilling deciders set up in the final 8 of the men’s Champions League
Apr 17 - 20: Gymnastics - FIG Apparatus World Cup - Doha (OQE)
Pranati Nayak and Deepa Karmakar will represent India in the Vault - no Olympic spots available for them at this meet, however.
Apr 18 - 21: Canoe Sprint - Asian Olympic Qualifier (OQE)
Final chance for Indian hopefuls to compete for Olympic qualification
Apr 18 - 27: Shooting - Indian Shooting Trials 1&2 (OQE)
First 2 legs of 4-leg trials for India’s team to Paris in Rifle & Pistol events
Apr 19 - 21: Asian Wrestling Qualifier (OQE)
With only 1 Indian wrestler currently qualified to Paris, this is a key event to secure more spots. Look out for Vinesh Phogat, who has had to fight not only her competitors, but also Indian sporting authorities, to get herself there
Apr 19 - 21: Rowing - Asian & Oceania Qualifying Regatta (OQE)
Multiple Indian rowers will be competing for Olympic quota spots for Paris
Apr 19 - 27: Swimming - Chinese Swimming Trials (OQE)
With the growing strength of Chinese swimming, this will be a word-class meet with spots on the Olympic team on the line. It will also indicate the sort of form some of the stars of the pool are in while preparing for the Games
Apr 19 - 29: Shooting - Final Olympic Qualifier Shotgun (OQE)
Last chance for Indians to earn additional spots in Trap & Skeet events
Apr 20: Athletics - Xiamen Diamond League
The Diamond League will provide a series of high-profile events for athletes attempting to hit qualifying marks and gan ranking points for Paris. It will also help gauge athletes’ form and preview exciting matchups. Abdulla Aboobacker will represent India in the M Triple Jump. Look out for Paulino (DOM) and Mondo Duplantis (SWE) to open their outdoor seasons
Apr 20: Football - UWCL Semi-Finals 1st Leg
Barcelona, Chelsea, Lyon, and PSG make up the final 4 in the women’s Champions League
Apr 20 - 27: Sailing - Final Olympic Qualifier (OQE)
Last chance for sailors to make it to Paris. Expect to see several Indian boats vying for quota spots
Apr 21: Athletics - Race Walking Team World Championships (OQE)
Key qualifying event for Paris and a first chance to see the Marathon mixed relay on the global stage. India will send a strong team
Apr 23 - 25: Formula 2 - Mid-Season Test in Barcelona
Look out for Kush Maini!
Apr 27: Athletics - Shanghai Diamond League
Sreeshankar will compete for India in the M Long Jump
Apr 27 - 28: Fencing - Asia & Oceania Olympic Qualifier (OQE)
Last chance for Indian fencers like Bhavani Devi to make it to the Olympics
Apr 27 - May 5: Badminton - Thomas & Uber Cup Finals
Finals of the major team competitions in world Badminton, with India sending teams for both.
Apr 28: Weightlifting - Olympic Rankings Deadline (OQE)
Final Olympic qualifying rankings to be confirmed. Mirabai will rank no 2 in the W 49kg
Apr 28: Football - UWCL Semi-Finals 2nd Leg
Deciders for Chelsea v Barcelona and PSG v Lyon
Apr 28 - May 5: Cycling - La Vuelta Femenina
First women’s grand tour of the year
Apr 30: Badminton - Road to Paris Rankings (OQE)
Deadline for Olympic qualification rankings for Badminton, to determine which Indians will qualify