Rio 2016: Lalita Babar enters the final of 3000m steeplechase

Rio de Janeiro: Indian steeplechase runner Lalita Babar on Saturday qualified for the women’s 3000 metre run after finishing fourth in the event in the ongoing Rio Olympics.

With this she has become the first Indian woman to reach the track finals after 1984. The last time any Indian woman qualified for this event was P T Usha at the Los Angeles Games held in 1984.

The Indian steeplechase runner finished the event in 9.19.76 minutes which was her seventh best performance.

She hails from Maharshtra.

Lalita will be seen in the final on August 15.

“I am looking forward to give my best to the nation on our Independence Day,” Lalita said after finishing the race.

She expressed her disappointment for compatriot Sudha Singh for failing to make the cut.

"I feel bad for Sudha. We train under the same coach. It would have been great had she also qualified," she added.