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The Sports Ministry has approved a comprehensive training plan for several elite Indian athletes in preparation for the upcoming Paris Olympics. The Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) has sanctioned proposals for Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra, Asian Games gold medalist Vinesh Phogat, and a host of other athletes across various disciplines.Chopra, who made history as India's first track and field Olympic medalist in Tokyo, will embark on a 60-day training stint in Europe from May 29 to July 28. Accompanied by coach Klaus Bartonietz and physio Ishaan Marwaha, he will train at various venues across the continent. The financial assistance under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) will cover expenses such as airfare, accommodation, meals, medical insurance, and local transport.Vinesh Phogat, who will compete in the 50kg division in Paris, has received approval for the inclusion of strength and conditioning coach Wayne Patrick Lombard in her international training camp in Hungary from June 10 to 21. She will also participate in the United World Wrestling 2nd Ranking Series - Polyák Imre & Varga János Memorial from June 6 to 9 in Budapest.Long jumper Shaili Singh's request to extend her training camp in Europe to June 23 has been granted. She will train in Lisbon, Paris, Athens, and Geneva under the guidance of coach Bobby George.Shotgun shooters Rajeshwari Kumari and Maheshwari Chauhan have been permitted to take their personal coaches to a training camp in Italy in June. Rajeshwari's coach David Kostelecky will accompany her from June 1 to 14, while Maheshwari's coach Riccardo Fillipelli will train her from May 31 to June 11.Badminton bronze medalist HS Prannoy has received financial assistance to engage trainer Rohan George Mathews on a full-time basis from June 20 to July 22 in Hyderabad. He will also utilize the services of a center that provides recovery products such as Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy and Red Light therapy.Other athletes who have received MOC approval include recurve archer Atanu Das, sailor Vishnu Sarvanan, and para powerlifter Ashok.The Sports Ministry's support for these athletes underscores its commitment to providing them with the necessary resources to excel on the international stage and bring glory to India at the Paris Olympics.

Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra's participation in the Ostrava Golden Spike 2024 athletics meet in the Czech Republic on May 28 has been canceled due to a muscle injury sustained in training two weeks ago. The organizers confirmed the news, stating that Chopra will attend the event as a guest.Chopra, the reigning Olympic and world champion, began his 2024 season with a silver medal at the Doha Diamond League on May 10, throwing an impressive 88.36 meters. He then returned to domestic competition after almost three years, winning gold in the Federation Cup on May 15 with a throw of 82.27m.Chopra's injury is a setback in his preparations for the Paris Olympic Games, where he aims to defend his gold medal. The organizers expressed their disappointment but noted that they had received a message from Chopra informing them of his withdrawal.European champion Julian Weber from Germany will replace Chopra in the competition. Weber threw 88.37 meters on Friday, the third-best performance of the year. The organizers believe this will provide a significant challenge for Jakub Vadlejch before the European Championships in Rome.Chopra's absence from the Ostrava Golden Spike is a reminder of the challenges athletes face in maintaining peak performance. Despite this setback, he remains one of India's brightest medal hopes for the Paris Olympics.

Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, the reigning Olympic and World Championships gold medalist, is set to compete in his third competition of the season at the Ostrava Golden Spike athletics meet in Czechia on May 28. This World Athletics Continental Tour Gold label event marks the 63rd edition of the prestigious competition.Chopra's season began with a second-place finish at the Doha Diamond League on May 11, where he threw 88.36 meters, just shy of the winner, Jakub Vadlejch. Despite battling fatigue at the Federation Cup in Bhubaneswar, Chopra secured a gold medal with a throw of 82.27 meters.At Ostrava, Chopra will face a formidable lineup in the men's javelin throw, including Vadlejch, the home favorite, and Anderson Peters of Grenada, a former World Champion. Peters finished third behind Vadlejch and Chopra in Doha.Chopra was scheduled to compete in Ostrava last year but withdrew due to a muscle injury. Vadlejch won the title with a throw of 81.93 meters.In addition to Chopra, Vadlejch, and Peters, the Ostrava meet will feature other global stars such as Marcell Jacobs of Italy, the reigning Olympic 100m champion, Gianmarco Tamberi, the Olympic co-champion in men's high jump, and Mondo Duplantis of Sweden, the world record holder and Olympic gold medalist in pole vault.After Ostrava, Chopra is expected to remain in Europe for the Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku, Finland, on June 18. This Continental Tour Gold event is a top-tier World Athletics competition. In 2022, Chopra won a silver medal at the Paavo Nurmi Games with a throw of 89.30 meters, his personal best at the time. He later broke his own record with a throw of 89.94 meters at the Stockholm leg of the Diamond League, which remains his national record.Chopra's participation in these competitions is part of his preparation for the Paris Olympics 2024, scheduled for July 26 to August 11.

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has forged a multi-year partnership with sports apparel giant Puma, marking a significant milestone for Indian athletics. This collaboration will provide approximately 400 Indian athletes with cutting-edge apparel, footwear, and accessories for both domestic and international competitions.As the official kit sponsor, Puma's gear will be adorned by India's top athletes, including Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra, long jumper Murali Sreeshankar, and steeplechaser Parul Chaudhary. Chopra, who has been training for over a decade, emphasized the importance of high-quality gear for optimal performance. He expressed his belief that this partnership will empower Indian athletes at all levels with world-class training equipment.This partnership marks a groundbreaking moment for Indian athletics, as it grants athletes access to world-class speed suits that Puma supplies to athletes globally. These suits are meticulously designed to enhance freedom of movement, aerodynamics, and speed, allowing athletes to focus solely on their performance and maximize efficiency.Karthik Balagopalan, Managing Director of Puma India, expressed the company's commitment to supporting athletes and helping them reach their full potential. He stated that Puma is thrilled to partner with the AFI and assist Indian athletes in achieving excellence in various sporting disciplines worldwide.AFI President Adille Sumariwalla hailed the partnership as a significant milestone for Indian athletes. He emphasized that Puma's high-quality gear will not only enhance performance but also foster a culture of excellence within the country's sporting community. Sumariwalla expressed confidence that this collaboration will propel Indian athletics to new heights on the global stage.

Olympic and world champion Neeraj Chopra has set his sights firmly on the Paris Olympic Games, scheduled to commence on July 26 in France. Competing in his first domestic competition since his historic gold medal triumph at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, Chopra showcased his dominance by securing the gold medal with a throw of 82.27m."Winning an Olympic gold medal is far more glorious than breaking the 90m barrier," Chopra asserted. "I will undoubtedly break that barrier, but my primary focus right now is to make a significant impact at the Paris Games."Chopra acknowledged that he had anticipated a strong challenge from Manu DP, but DP's rhythm faltered, preventing him from surpassing the 85m mark. Manu DP of Karnataka finished second, while Uttam Patil of Maharashtra claimed third place with a throw of 78.39m.Asian Games medalist Kishore Kumar Jena finished fifth with a throw of 75.49m, while Shivpal Singh, another prominent thrower, was eliminated in the preliminary round. Only the top eight athletes advanced to the medal round.Chopra commenced his 2024 season with a second-place finish (88.36m) at the Doha Diamond League. Following his domestic competition in Bhubaneswar, he plans to compete in Europe as part of his preparations for the Paris Olympic Games.He has meticulously planned his Olympic preparations, including competitions in Ostrava (Czech Republic) on May 28 and Turku (Finland) in June. After these events, he will evaluate his fitness and make further decisions. "I will assess how my body and mind respond to these high-quality competitions and then make a call," he explained.Chopra's personal best and national record of 89.94m was set in 2022. The champion thrower expressed his confidence in breaking the 90m barrier on a good day. "I prefer to prioritize winning over distance," he emphasized.As the "golden boy" of Indian track and field, Chopra was thrilled to witness the enthusiasm of young fans at Bhubaneswar's Kalinga Stadium. "I'm excited to see so many supporters at the stadium," he remarked.

Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra made a triumphant return to Indian soil, claiming the gold medal in the men's javelin throw event at the Federation Cup in Patiala. Despite a slow start, Chopra's spear soared through the evening sky, securing him victory in his first competitive outing in India in three years.The 26-year-old superstar initially struggled to find his rhythm, trailing in second place after the first three rounds. However, in the fourth round, he unleashed a mighty throw of 82.27m, taking the lead. With DP Manu, his closest rival, having completed his final throw, Chopra opted to skip the final round, confident in his lead.Chopra's last domestic competition was at the same event in 2021, where he won gold with a throw of 87.80m. Since then, he has achieved remarkable success on the international stage, including a historic gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, the Diamond League title in 2022, and the world championship in 2023. He also successfully defended his Asian Games gold in China.Despite his impressive achievements, Chopra is yet to surpass the 90m mark. His personal best and national record stands at 89.94m. However, his performance at the Federation Cup demonstrates his continued dominance in the sport and his unwavering determination to reach even greater heights.

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.

Olympic and world champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has set his sights on victory in the next Diamond League meeting after finishing a close second in the Doha leg.Chopra's second-place finish in Doha was a mere two centimeters behind Jakub Vadlejch's winning throw of 88.38m. The 26-year-old Chopra trailed the veteran Czech throughout the competition, but his final effort of 88.36m fell just short of the top spot.Despite the narrow margin, Chopra remained upbeat and expressed his determination to improve in the next meeting. "The most important competition for me this year is the Paris Olympics, but Diamond League meetings are important too," Chopra said. "This was the opener for me this season, I finished second with a narrow two-centimeter margin, but next time I will try to draw far and try to win."The next Diamond League meeting featuring men's javelin will be held in Paris on July 7. Chopra also expressed his gratitude for the support he received from the Indian diaspora in Qatar. "The support I am getting from the Indian people here in Qatar is always amazing," he said. "There aren't words enough for me to thank them for their support."Chopra's performance in Doha was a promising start to his season, and he will be looking to build on it in the upcoming meetings. The top six javelin throwers will compete in the Diamond League Finals in Brussels on September 13-14, and Chopra will be aiming to lift the DL champion's trophy.

Neeraj Chopra, India's Olympic and world champion javelin thrower, displayed his resilience and determination at the season-opening Doha Diamond League. Despite facing challenging conditions, Chopra overcame a slow start to secure a second-place finish with a best throw of 88.36m.Chopra's first two attempts were underwhelming, but he gradually improved his performance. In his third attempt, he launched the javelin 86.24m, moving into second place. However, Czech thrower Jakub Vadlejch had set a high bar with his 88.38m effort in the third round.Undeterred, Chopra continued to push himself. In his fifth attempt, he came close to Vadlejch's mark with a throw of 86.18m. With one final attempt remaining, Chopra summoned his reserves of strength and unleashed a mighty throw that landed just two centimeters short of Vadlejch's winning distance.Despite the narrow margin, Chopra was satisfied with his performance. He acknowledged the challenging conditions and expressed his gratitude for the support of his team. Chopra's second-place finish is a testament to his mental fortitude and his ability to perform under pressure.The Doha Diamond League marked Chopra's first competition of the 2024 season. He will now return to India for a brief visit before competing at the Federation Cup in Bhubaneswar next week. Chopra's next major international competition will be the Paavo Nurmi Games in Finland next month, where he is expected to face a stronger field.