Asian Indoor Athletics C'ships: Harmilan Bains Aims For Paris Olympics Berth; Plans To Train In USA

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Asian Games medalist Harmilan Bains started her season brilliantly by winning the gold medal in the women's 1500m at the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships 2024 in Tehran with a time of 4:29.55 seconds.

The national record holder in the 1500m, Harmilan, won two silver medals in last year's Asian Games (1500m and 800m). After the Asian Games, this was her first competition, and she performed remarkably well.

Although this tournament is not a Paris Olympics qualifier, athletes participated in it to improve their timings. Before leaving for the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships, Harmilan spoke to NNIS Sports about her preparation for the Paris Olympics.

"I need three more gold-level races in which I can qualify for Paris, and I also want to break my own time in the 1500m," said Harmilan. "I just want to run my personal best instead of qualifying in ranking; I want to qualify with my best. So I will keep less competition in target and try to qualify with timing because in the Olympics, the medal will belong to those who achieve good timings."

The 25-year-old athlete from Punjab also mentioned that she is looking forward to competing and training in the USA with coach Scott Simmons for the preparation of the Paris Olympics. Simmons in the past has worked with Indian mid- and long-distance runners, including Avinash Sable, Jinson Johnson and Parul Chaudhary in Florida Springs.

"I'm looking forward to competing and training in the USA. For some scenarios, maybe it will change to the UK. I actually have not decided; my US visa has not arrived. I don't have a visa right now. So that's why I'm just a little confused. Once I get it, definitely the USA," said Harmilan Bains.

When asked about which event she will be participating in at the Paris Olympics, Harmilan replied, "I want to focus only on the 1500m, but my coach Scott has said that he thinks I can do both. Qualify in both and perform in both. It will be good. So for that, I have increased my endurance workout. So hopefully you guys will see me in both events."