There is more than one common thread that binds the five Tamil Nadu track-and-field athletes — Arokia Rajiv, P Naganathan, V Revathi, V Subha and S Dhanalakshmi — who have qualified for the Tokyo Games. Their consistent shows at national level events in recent times notwithstanding, all of them come from relatively smaller districts such as Trichy, Madurai and Ramanathapuram. To top that, they have made it to the biggest sporting stage despite hailing from families with modest means. While the track and field athletes from districts in the state have featured in the Olympics, this is the first time that five of them are part of it.