Asian Athletics Championship 2017: Athletes from 45 countries to qualify
The winners gain a direct entry to IAAF World Championship in London
5 July 2017 7:34 AM GMT
India gets to witness the 95 of its best athletes, as the 22nd Asian Athletics Championships is about to kick off with zeal, on Thursday, in Bhubaneshwar. This edition of the championship will be the biggest event in the competition's history - it was first held in 1977 - with the participation of over 800 athletes from 45 countries.
After an opening ceremony on July 5, the games begin on July 6, and wind up on July 9. In total, there will be 42 sporting events - 21 for men and 21 for women.
Bhubaneshwar's Kalinga Stadium will be hosting this edition of the Asian Athletics Championships, which was given a major makeover. The stadium boasts an Olympic-level synthetic track, a renovated warm-up track, state-of-the-art high mast floodlights and newly-installed elevators.
The mascot for the tournament is Olly Turtle. It represents the endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles that arrive in millions every year on Odisha's Rushikulya and Gahirmatha beaches for their annual nesting. The state government attempts to raise awareness about endangered species and preserving the natural habitat through this.
This event becomes important as the Asian Athletics Championship acts as a qualifying event for the IAAF World Championships in London, which lets the winners earn a direct entry into the August event.
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