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The Indian athletics team, comprising 30 members, is gearing up for the upcoming Olympics with a rigorous training regimen at three international venues. The team will assemble in Paris on July 28, four days prior to the commencement of track and field events.Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra, the star javelin thrower, is currently training in Antalya, Turkey. The team's chief coach, Radhakrishnan Nair, confirmed that Chopra will arrive in Paris on July 28.The Indian athletics contingent has expanded to 30 members with the inclusion of long jumper Jeswin Aldrin and 500m runner Ankita Dhyani, based on their rankings in the World Athletics Road to Paris system.Four race walkers (Akshdeep Singh, Paramjeet Singh Bisht, Vikash Singh, Suraj Panwar) and triple jumper Abdulla Aboobacker are currently training at the Sports Authority of India center in Bengaluru. Avinash Sable and Parul Chaudhary will train in St Moritz, Switzerland."Sable and Parul will join the group of athletes in Poland on July 24 and then proceed to Paris," Nair stated. "Ankita (5,000m) is currently based out of Bengaluru."The entire 4x400m relay team (men and women) will depart for Poland on Thursday. Four athletes (Kishore Kumar Jena, Jyothi Yarraji, Jeswin Aldrin, Praveen Chithravel) have already arrived in Poland."Annu Rani (javelin), Tajinderpal Singh Toor (shot put), and Abha Khatua (shot put) will also leave for Poland on Thursday," Nair added.The Indian athletics team is determined to make a mark at the Olympics, and their rigorous training regimen is a testament to their dedication and commitment.

Jyothi Yarraji, India's first female Olympic qualifier in the 100m hurdles, has embarked on an extraordinary journey under the guidance of British coach James Hillier. Hillier, impressed by Jyothi's raw speed, recognized her potential and has since honed her technique, explosive power, and agility.Jyothi's unwavering determination has led to a remarkable 11 national record-breaking performances. Her speed and precision have enabled her to overcome the challenges of 10 hurdles over 100m. Despite a hip flexor injury that sidelined her for a month, Jyothi's resilience and Hillier's positive outlook have fueled her recovery.Hillier believes that Jyothi's near-miss in Finland, where she clocked 12.78secs, just 0.01secs shy of the Olympic qualification mark, has instilled confidence in her abilities. "She knows now that she can do it again at that pace," Hillier said.Jyothi's first Olympic appearance will be a testament to her hard work and dedication. Hillier's realistic goal is for her to achieve a personal best, while an ambitious target is to qualify for the final. Jyothi's performance at the World Championships and Asian Games has demonstrated her potential, and with continued training and recovery, she is poised to make a mark on the Olympic stage.

India's Top 400m Runner Deepanshi Suspended for DopingIndia's promising 400m runner Deepanshi has been suspended by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) after testing positive for anabolic steroids during the recent National Inter-State Athletics Championships in Panchkula, Haryana.Deepanshi, 21, had secured a silver medal in the event, clocking an impressive 52.01 seconds in the women's 400m final. However, her jubilation was short-lived as her in-competition dope sample, collected on June 27, returned positive results for banned substances.This incident marks the first doping violation from the National Inter-State Championships, which served as the final qualifying event for the upcoming Paris Olympics. Deepanshi's suspension has raised concerns about the sources of her doping substances and the nature of her training environment, as she does not train at the National camp.The use of anabolic steroids, which are synthetic hormones that promote muscle growth, is strictly prohibited in sports. They can enhance performance but also pose significant health risks, including liver damage, heart problems, and infertility.Deepanshi's suspension is a major setback for Indian athletics. She was considered one of the country's top prospects for the Paris Olympics and had been consistently improving her times. Her suspension serves as a reminder of the importance of clean sport and the consequences of doping.The NADA is investigating the case and will determine the appropriate sanctions against Deepanshi. The suspension is a blow to her career and raises questions about the integrity of Indian athletics. It is crucial for athletes to adhere to anti-doping regulations and maintain the highest standards of sportsmanship.

Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra will lead a 28-member Indian athletics contingent to the Paris Olympics, which will commence on July 26. Chopra, the reigning world champion in javelin throw, skipped the recent Paris leg of the Diamond League to focus on his preparations for the Summer Olympics 2024.The Indian squad comprises 17 men and 11 women athletes. Race walkers Priyanka Goswami and Akshdeep Singh, who are part of the squad, were the first Indians to qualify for athletics this year. Other notable names include Avinash Sable and Tejinderpal Singh Toor, who won gold medals at the Hangzhou Asian Games.The Indian 4x400m men's relay team, featuring Muhammed Anas, Muhammed Ajmal, Amoj Jacob, and Rajesh Ramesh, will be closely watched after their qualification at the World Athletics Relay 2024 tournament in Bahamas.The track and field competition will be held at the Stade de France from August 1 to August 11. "I am confident that this contingent will sustain India's growth trajectory in sports," said Union sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya during the ceremonial send-off of the Paris-bound athletes and the unveiling of the playing kits of the contingent.

Haryana's Kiran Pahal has etched her name in history by becoming the second Indian woman to qualify for the Paris Olympics in the women's 400 meters. At the ongoing National Inter-State Athletics Championships in Panchkula, Haryana, Pahal clocked an impressive 50.92 seconds in the semifinal, surpassing the qualifying mark of 50.95 seconds.Pahal's remarkable performance not only secured her a berth at the prestigious Games but also marked her best timing of the season. She displayed exceptional speed and endurance, leaving her competitors behind. Devy Aniba Zala of Gujarat finished a distant second with a timing of 53.44, while Sneha K of Kerala came third with a time of 53.51.Pahal's qualification is a testament to her unwavering determination and rigorous training. She has consistently pushed her limits and showcased her exceptional talent on the track. Her achievement is a source of pride for India and inspires aspiring athletes across the nation.The Paris Olympics, scheduled to take place from July 26 to August 11, 2024, will witness Pahal competing against the world's best in the women's 400 meters. Her qualification is a significant milestone in Indian athletics and raises expectations for a strong performance at the Games.

Tejas Shirse, India's fastest male hurdler, has embarked on a remarkable journey from his humble beginnings in Maharashtra to breaking the national record in Finland. Despite facing challenges such as living out of a suitcase and overcoming loneliness, Shirse has grown both as an athlete and an individual.A key catalyst in his growth has been Finnish hurdler Elmo Lakka, who shared valuable insights with Shirse. Lakka's advice on taking off from a farther distance and snapping the lead leg with the hamstring has significantly improved Shirse's technique.Shirse has also made technical adjustments to his posture at the hurdles, standing taller and keeping his body forward to maintain momentum. Despite an injury to his left shin, he has managed to surpass his previous best time of 13.60s thrice in Europe.While his coach believes meeting the Paris qualification mark of 13.27s may be unrealistic at this stage, Shirse remains optimistic. He has set his sights on the Olympics, driven by his belief that anything is possible.

Star Indian javelin throwers Neeraj Chopra and Kishore Jena have been granted direct entry into the Federation Cup finals in Bhubaneswar on May 15th. This decision was made as both athletes have consistently surpassed the minimum qualification mark of 75m throughout their careers.Chopra, the reigning Olympic and world champion, recently finished second at the Doha Diamond League with an impressive throw of 88.38m. Jena, the Asian Games silver medalist, made his Diamond League debut but was eliminated after three rounds with a best throw of 76.31m.DP Manu, who placed sixth at the 2023 World Championships, will also compete directly in the finals. He aims to qualify for the Paris Olympics by achieving a mark of 85.50m.According to Indian athletics head coach Radhakrishnan Nair, "All those who have crossed 75m will not compete in the qualifying round on Tuesday. There are nine of them from among those who had made entries, including Neeraj and Jena. They will directly compete in the final on Wednesday."The remaining athletes with marks below 75m will participate in the qualifying round, with the top three joining the nine above-75m throwers in the final.The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) is eagerly anticipating Chopra's first competitive outing in India in three years. "The AFI is not at all surprised at Neeraj taking part in the Federation Cup. His participation in domestic events is undoubtedly a positive development for Indian athletics," stated a senior AFI official.Chopra has reportedly arrived in India from Doha but will only arrive in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday. Jena, the Asian Games medalist, is expected to arrive later on Monday.Nair downplayed the injury sustained by men's 4x400m relay squad member Rajesh Ramesh, who withdrew during the second leg of the first round qualifying heat in the Bahamas earlier this month. Ramesh was replaced by Arokia Rajiv, who was also not fully fit, in the second round of the Olympic qualifying heat, and the Indian team secured a Paris ticket."Ramesh's injury is not a hamstring pull, it's related to a tendon in the thigh. So, it is not a major injury. He is expected to start training in 10-15 days. Rajiv will also be alright soon," Nair said. "There should not be any problem in Olympics preparation."A total of 19 track and field athletes have qualified for Paris, and Nair announced that the team will train in Spala, Poland, for four weeks before traveling to Paris for the Olympics. Track and field events commence on August 1st."The team will train in Spala before Olympics and we will reach Paris three or four days before the competition starts," he said.The AFI remains hopeful of the mixed 4x400m relay team's Paris qualification despite its failure in the Bahamas during the World Relays. Only two slots remain available."Our mixed 4x400m team will take part in the Asian Relays (May 20-21 in Bangkok) and we can qualify for Paris if we run below 3 minutes 14 seconds, and we feel we can do that," Nair added.The AFI is reportedly preparing a strategic plan with the goal of winning multiple medals in the 2036 Olympics, regardless of whether India wins the right to host the Games.

National record holder Jyothi Yarraji has made a triumphant start to her outdoor season, claiming gold in the 100m hurdles at the Harry Schulting Games in Vught, the Netherlands. The 24-year-old clocked a time of 12.87 seconds, her fourth career best, to secure victory in the World Athletics category E event.Yarraji's performance is a testament to her consistent progress and unwavering determination. Last year, she made history by winning a silver medal in the 100m hurdles at the Hangzhou Asian Games. Her impressive display in Vught suggests that she is well on track to qualify for the Paris Olympics, even though she has yet to meet the qualifying standard of 12.77 seconds.Currently ranked 26th on the World Athletics Road to Paris list, Yarraji is poised to secure a spot in the Olympic field through world rankings. Only 25 athletes will qualify for the women's 100m hurdles in Paris based on entry standard, while 15 will earn their place through world rankings.Yarraji's national record stands at 12.78 seconds, a mark she set during the World University Games last year. Her versatility was evident in February when she claimed gold in the 60m hurdles at the Asian Indoor Championships in Tehran.Yarraji's success is a source of inspiration for aspiring athletes in India and around the world. Her unwavering commitment to excellence and her ability to overcome challenges serve as a reminder that anything is possible with hard work and dedication.

Olympic and world champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra is set to make his long-awaited return to domestic competition after confirming his participation in the National Federation Cup in Bhubaneswar from May 12 to 15. The 26-year-old superstar will be competing at home for the first time in three years, having last participated in a domestic event in March 2021.Chopra's participation in the Federation Cup is a significant development as it will provide him with an opportunity to test his form and fitness ahead of the upcoming season. The Indian javelin star is expected to travel to India from Doha after opening his season in the first leg of the prestigious Diamond League series on May 10.Chopra's coach, Klaus Bartonietz, has confirmed that his ward is taking part in the Bhubaneswar event. As per the schedule released by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), the men's javelin qualifying round will be held on May 14, with the final scheduled for May 15.Chopra's return to domestic competition is eagerly anticipated by Indian athletics fans. Since his last domestic appearance in 2021, Chopra has achieved remarkable success on the international stage. He won a historic gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, became Diamond League champion in 2022, and claimed the world championship title in 2023. He also successfully defended his Asian Games gold medal in China.Despite his impressive achievements, Chopra is yet to cross the 90-meter mark. His personal best and national record stand at 89.94m. The Federation Cup will provide him with an opportunity to fine-tune his technique and push for the elusive 90m throw.Chopra's participation in the Federation Cup is also a boost for the event itself. The tournament will feature some of India's top athletes, including 28-year-old Kishore Jena, who won a silver medal in the Hangzhou Asian Games where Chopra won gold. Jena will also be competing in the Doha Diamond League on May 10.The Federation Cup is an important event in the Indian athletics calendar, and Chopra's presence will undoubtedly add to its prestige and excitement. Indian athletics fans will be eagerly watching to see how the Olympic and world champion performs on home soil after a long absence.