AFI Sets Tough Qualification Standards for 2026 Commonwealth Games
AFI Implements Rigorous Standards for CWG 2026
The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has introduced strict qualification criteria for the upcoming 2026 Commonwealth Games (CWG) in Glasgow. Athletes competing in 17 different events must either break or match existing national records to be eligible for selection. Scheduled from July 23 to August 2 in Scotland, the CWG 2026 will feature a reduced athletics program, limiting each nation to a maximum of 32 athletes, with no more than 16 being women.
To ensure a competitive Indian team, AFI has significantly raised the performance benchmarks.
AFI Elevates Standards for Elite Athletes
In men's events, athletes must exceed national records in the 100m, 400m, 1500m, 110m hurdles, and hammer throw. For instance, Animesh Kujur's national record of 10.18 seconds in the 100m is just shy of the AFI's qualification mark of 10.16 seconds. Similarly, Tejas Shirse, the record holder in the 110m hurdles, has a time of 13.41 seconds, which is below the required standard.
Asian Games silver medalist Jyothi Yarraji, recovering from an ACL injury, needs to improve her national record of 12.78 seconds in the 100m hurdles to 12.67 seconds for qualification.
Vithya Ramraj, who matched PT Usha's long-standing national record of 55.42 seconds in the women's 400m hurdles, must now achieve a time of 54.67 seconds to meet the AFI criteria.
The men's javelin throw presents a better opportunity for multiple qualifiers, with the entry mark set at 82.61 meters. Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra, along with Sachin Yadav and Rohit Yadav, have all surpassed this distance in their careers.
AFI has not disclosed a qualifying standard for the men's 4x400m relay, while the mixed 4x400m relay has a benchmark of 3 minutes 16 seconds.
Key Qualification Standards (Selected Events)
- Men's 100m: 10.16s
- Women's 100m: 11.17s
- Men's 400m: 44.96s
- Women's 400m: 51.36s
- Men's 1500m: 3:30.82
- Women's 1500m: 4:05.09
- Men's 5000m: 13:19.64
- Women's 5000m: 14:56.60
- Men's 10,000m: 27:39.03
- Women's 10,000m: 31:14.14
Final Trials and Selection Process
The Federation Cup in Ranchi, taking place from May 22 to 25, will serve as the final selection trials for the Commonwealth Games. Athletes who have previously met the qualifying marks during the season must also participate. However, the federation reserves the right to exempt certain athletes under exceptional circumstances.
Selectors will have the discretion to include athletes who may not have met the standards but are considered strong medal contenders.
Qualification for CWG and India's Historical Performance
Unlike the Olympics, where qualification standards are consistent globally, each participating nation sets its own criteria for the Commonwealth Games.
During the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, India secured a total of 61 medals, with athletics contributing eight, including one gold. The nation's best performance in CWG history occurred at the 2010 Games in New Delhi, where India achieved over 100 medals.