News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/25th July 2024
Neeraj Chopra’s historic gold medal in the men’s javelin throw at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics has catalyzed a significant shift in the mindset of Indian athletes, instilling a new level of self-assurance and ambition. This groundbreaking achievement has sparked a wave of inspiration among Indian athletes, encouraging them to aim higher and strive for excellence on the global stage.
As India prepares for the Paris Olympics 2024, its track and field athletes are carrying this renewed confidence with them. They are determined to build on the foundation laid by Chopra’s gold medal and aim to secure more medals, propelling the nation towards becoming a formidable force in world athletics. Despite having only one gold medal in track and field over a century of Olympic participation, Indian athletes refuse to see their aspirations as mere fantasies. The Paris Olympics will see India’s largest ever athletics contingent, with 29 athletes ready to compete, reflecting the growing prominence and potential of Indian athletics on the international stage.
Athletics Federation of India president, Adille Sumariwalla, highlights the substantial progress made by Indian athletes since the Tokyo Olympics. This progress was showcased at the World Championship 2023 in Budapest, where three Indian athletes secured top 10 positions in the men’s javelin throw competition. This success underscores the potential of Indian athletes to excel in global competitions.
Neeraj Chopra, the reigning Olympic and world champion, will lead India’s campaign in Paris. He is a strong contender to win his second Olympic medal, potentially another gold. Since his triumph in Tokyo, Chopra has added a silver and a gold medal from the World Championships, a gold from the 2023 Diamond League Final, and a gold from the Asian Games in Hangzhou to his impressive collection. However, Chopra has faced challenges with injuries, which have hindered his progress and delayed his quest to breach the 90m mark. In 2022, he achieved his personal best of 89.94m in Stockholm, and in October 2023 he recorded his season’s best throw of 88.88m in Hangzhou. He arrived in Paris after recovering from a niggle and has only competed in the Paavo Nurmi Games 2024 in Turku, Finland, where he won gold with a modest throw of 85.97m.
In addition to Chopra, India will also pin its hopes on Kishore Kumar Jena in the men’s javelin throw. The Odisha-born athlete clinched a silver medal in Hangzhou, finishing behind Chopra, with a personal best of 87.54m. Avinash Sable, the national record holder in the men’s 3000m steeplechase event, is one of the key prospects for India on the track. Tajinderpal Singh Toor, the Asian record holder in shot put, and the men’s 4x400m relay team, which had given the United States a run for its money in the heats at the World Relays 2024 in the Bahamas, are also expected to perform strongly.
India’s race walkers are another source of optimism, with four athletes—two men and two women—having qualified for their respective events. This diverse and talented contingent reflects India’s growing ambition and potential in athletics.
Neeraj Chopra’s legacy extends beyond his own achievements, inspiring a new generation of Indian athletes to believe in their potential and aim for the highest honors in the sport. As India’s largest ever athletics team competes in Paris, the nation looks forward to more historic performances, driven by the confidence and ambition sparked by Chopra’s golden moment in Tokyo.
