Panchkula, Haryana: Olympic-bound steeplechaser Avinash Sable will participate in the Paris Diamond League next week to boost his preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
On Saturday, Sable dominated the men’s 3000m steeplechase event and won the gold medal with a timing of 8 minutes 31 seconds here at the Inter-State Athletics Championships. While the timing he clocked was nowhere close to his best, it was enough for him to clinch the national title.
“Yes, I didn’t put all my effort today as I was saving for the Paris Diamond League next week,” Sable told The Bridge on the sidelines of the completion.
“The field at the Diamond League will be more or less similar to Paris Olympics. So, it will be a good test for me,” he added.
This is Sable’s first event in India in 2024 as he has been training in the USA at the Colorado Springs. Although he did not put up much of his effort in the race, the gulf of difference between him and the rest of the field demonstrated his level.
Asked about his preparation for the Paris Olympics, Sable said, “My focus is on improving my race practice. I haven’t run for timing till now. This is the time when I will start peaking for the Olympics.”
Sable had a mixed 2023 as he performed poorly at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest but won two medals in the Asian Games in Hangzhou.
Talking about starting the season late Sable said, “I made some mistakes in the last two seasons and before Tokyo Olympics. One of them was starting the season early as I would peak early. I won’t repeat the mistake this time.”
After the Paris Diamond League, Sable will join the camp expected to be set up in Poland by AFI as part of Indian athletes’ preparation for the Olympics.
National record holder in 3000m Steeplechase, Sable has been a consistent feature at international events and is expected to perform well in the Paris Olympics.