National records may not be enough: AFI raises bar for Commonwealth Games 2026 selection

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has set very tough qualification rules for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, making it clear that only the very best athletes will make the cut. With the athletics programme scaled down and each country allowed to send just 32 athletes, AFI has raised standards so high that competitors in 17 events must equal or even break existing national records to be selected.Several big names will have a challenge on their hands. In men’s sprint and track events like the 100m, 400m, 1500m and 110m hurdles, the qualifying times are actually faster than current Indian records. Even national record holders such as Animesh Kujur and Tejas Shirse fall just short of the required marks. On the women’s side, Asian Games medallist Jyothi Yarraji must better her own national record in the 100m hurdles after returning from injury, while Vithya Ramraj has to go faster than PT Usha’s long-standing 400m hurdles record she had earlier equalled.Key qualifying standards (selected events)There is some breathing space in field events like men’s javelin. The qualifying mark is 82.61 metres, a distance already crossed by Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra and others.The AFI has announced that the Federation Cup in Ranchi, from May 22 to 25, will serve as the final selection trials. Even athletes who have already met the standard must compete. However, selectors can make exceptions in special cases and still pick athletes seen as strong medal contenders.Unlike the Olympics, each country sets its own Commonwealth Games standards. India will be aiming to improve on its eight athletics medals from the 2022 Games when the event takes place from July 23 to August 2, 2026.