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Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra is setting his sights on breaking the 90-meter barrier in javelin throw before the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Indian star, who won gold in Tokyo in 2020, believes he is on track to achieve this milestone soon.Chopra's best competitive throw stands at 89.94m, achieved at the 2022 Stockholm Diamond League. While he has surpassed 90m in training, he is yet to replicate it in competition. However, he is confident that it will happen before Paris."I will try to breach the 90m mark before that (Paris Olympics). Hopefully, it happens before Paris, everything is going on smoothly, so (people) might not have to wait till the Olympics, it might happen before that. The preparation is good," Chopra said.Chopra's confidence stems from a successful off-season focused on fitness and strength, as well as the success he has achieved since winning gold in Tokyo. He has won the Diamond League trophy, retained his Asian Games gold, and earned a silver and gold at the World Championships."After Tokyo, the self-confidence has definitely gone up. Besides, I have also played quite a few events... two world championships, a silver and a gold there, won the Diamond League trophy, made some good throws, then retained the Asian Games gold (in Hangzhou) as well," Chopra said."So, the success between Tokyo and Paris has given me a lot of confidence that yes I can do it against strong competitors."Chopra has also worked on improving his technique since Tokyo. "Before Tokyo, whatever shortcomings I had and during the years leading to Paris, I have worked on them. The best part is everything is going smoothly and I am very positive."Chopra will begin his competitive season with the Doha Diamond League Meeting on May 10, followed by the Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku, Finland on June 18. He will face stiff competition from 19-year-old German sensation Max Dehning, who recently threw 90.20m."They (two tournaments) are very crucial in the run-up to Olympics, to get that competitive feel back (after the off-season). I will also decide in consultation with my coach and team which competitions to take part in."Chopra is excited about the prospect of competing against Dehning. "When I competed in Tokyo and elsewhere, most of my competitors came in boasting of 90-plus throws. So, it's not such a big deal. What matters is what you do on that particular day.""I am excited to compete against Dahlin. But it depends on the kind of pressure they (competitors) are able to handle. That is the biggest challenge. I'm sure I will play a lot of matches with Max (Dahlin). Never played with him before. It will be interesting, I will enjoy."Chopra also praised fellow Indian javelin thrower Kishore Jena, who won silver at the Asian Games. "The way he has progressed in the world championships and the Asian Games, who knows Kishore might breach the 90m mark before me. 90m mark atka hua hai, but kabhi na kabhi ho jayega (That 90m-mark has not come thus far, but some day it will happen)."

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has clarified its stance on the selection of wrestlers for the Paris Olympics, stating that the doors remain open for all athletes, including Olympic medalists Bajrang Punia and Ravi Dahiya.WFI President Sanjay Singh emphasized that the federation will adhere to its selection policy, which stipulates that the performance of quota-winning wrestlers will be reviewed before a decision is made on holding a selection trial prior to the Paris Games."There is no confusion now. The ad-hoc committee is no longer in place, and WFI will follow the rules and regulations of its selection policy," Singh said. "It states that whoever wins the Olympic berth, their performance will be assessed. If the performance is satisfactory, the same wrestler will go to Paris. Otherwise, the wrestler who is performing well in the same weight class will get an opportunity."Regarding Dahiya and Punia, Singh stated that their performances will be evaluated, as will those of all other wrestlers. "There will be no discrimination against anyone," he added.The teams for the two Olympic qualification tournaments were selected based on the ad-hoc panel's selection policy, which allowed the top four wrestlers from these trials to qualify for a final trial in May for the Paris Olympics.In the 53kg weight class, Antim Panghal has already qualified, while double world medalist Vinesh Phogat is among the contenders to challenge her for Paris. However, Phogat will also have the opportunity to secure a berth for India in the 50kg category."Vinesh will be competing in the 50kg Olympic qualification tournament in Bishkek," Singh confirmed.At the WFI Special General Meeting in Noida, amendments to the constitution were approved, including age, tenure, and cooling-off period guidelines as per the Sports Code. The 70-year age cap and two consecutive terms (or eight years), followed by a mandatory four-year cooling-off period, will now apply to all WFI executive council positions.The SGM also adopted a resolution to conduct Athletes Commission elections as mandated by United World Wrestling (UWW). The elections will be held during the Federation Cup in Varanasi from April 24-26.WFI, which was suspended by the Sports Ministry, discussed the possibility of functioning without government funding. "UWW and IOA have lifted the suspension on WFI. We hope the Sports Ministry also lifts the suspension, but at present, we are not receiving any financial help from the government, so we discussed ways to run the organization," Singh said.WFI Secretary General Prem Chand Lohcab, who came from the camp of protesting wrestlers, has not attended any of the three WFI meetings. WFI adopted a resolution that if the secretary general fails to forward proposed amendments to every member of the general council as described in the WFI constitution, the president may authorize one of the joint secretaries to do so.

India's top golfer Anirban Lahiri has expressed concern that the ongoing standoff between LIV Golf and the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) could prevent many top-ranked players from qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics.Lahiri, who currently plays in the Saudi-funded LIV Golf, is facing an uphill battle to earn enough ranking points to secure one of the 60 spots available for the Games. The OWGR does not recognize LIV Golf events, making it extremely difficult for players like Lahiri to accumulate the necessary points."There's no point in speculating on what ifs. The reality of the situation is what it is. And within that framework, you have to find a way to qualify," said Lahiri.Lahiri believes that the current situation could serve as a wake-up call for the golf world to address the issue. "It might be a situation where a lot of really good golfers are going to be in the top 10, who could be playing for their countries, don't make it to Paris," he said. "And maybe that's what's needed for the world to wake up and say we need to do something."Despite the challenges, Lahiri remains determined to qualify for the Olympics. He will be competing in the Hero India Open this week, hoping to earn valuable ranking points. "Unless I play well this week and potentially one or two more events, there is not much to look forward to unfortunately," he said.Lahiri, who has participated in two previous Olympics, is currently the third-ranked Indian golfer behind Shubhankar Sharma and Gaganjeet Bhullar. He is eager to make a strong showing in Paris, but acknowledges that the current ranking system presents a significant obstacle."I had two goes at it (Olympics), I have a whole list of excuses for not playing well (laughs) but then let bygones be bygones," he said. "It's like a major championship, right? You want to have as many starts at majors as possible to contend and to win. So it's the same thing. The Olympics are fewer and much further in between."Lahiri's comments highlight the ongoing tension between LIV Golf and the established golf ecosystem. The OWGR's refusal to recognize LIV Golf events has created a divide in the sport, with some players choosing to join the lucrative Saudi-backed league while others remain loyal to the traditional tours.

Harendra Singh, a seasoned coach with a proven track record in Indian hockey, has emerged as the frontrunner to replace Janneke Schopman as the head coach of the Indian women's hockey team. Singh recently appeared for an interview with Hockey India, the national governing body, which has indicated that he is the preferred candidate to lead the team after its disappointing failure to qualify for the Paris Olympics.Singh previously served as the head coach of the Indian women's team from 2017 to 2018, guiding them to a gold medal at the 2017 Asia Cup. He also coached the Indian junior men's team to victory at the 2016 Junior World Cup.Sources within Hockey India have expressed confidence in Singh's ability to revive the women's team. "Harendra is the best person to take the women's side to where it belongs," said a source. "He knows the structure of Indian hockey and has a proven track record of success."However, negotiations over Singh's salary could pose a challenge. As the current coach of the United States men's team, Singh is reportedly earning a substantial salary. Hockey India's salary cap for Indian coaches is Rs 3 lakh per month, but Singh may demand a higher amount.Hockey India secretary-general Bhola Nath Singh confirmed that Harendra appeared for the interview but emphasized that no decision has been made yet. "There are 11-12 candidates, and we will decide taking into account every aspect," he said.If appointed, Singh will replace Schopman, who resigned last month citing a difficult work environment for foreign coaches in India. Schopman's departure came after the women's team failed to qualify for the Paris Olympics, a major setback for Indian hockey.Singh's appointment would mark a return to the helm of the Indian women's team for the experienced coach. His previous stint with the team was cut short in 2018 when he was replaced by Dutchman Sjoerd Marijne.

Murali Sreeshankar, India's star long jumper, is embarking on a strategic approach for the upcoming season, prioritizing the Paris Olympics over extensive travel and competition. After a grueling schedule last year, Sreeshankar has opted to start his season later and focus on targeted events.Last season, Sreeshankar competed in 10 events over seven months, including training stints in the US and Greece. Despite impressive performances, including a personal best of 8.41m and medals at the Asian Athletics Championships and Asian Games, the rigorous schedule took its toll.This season, Sreeshankar's father and coach, S Murali, has devised a plan to conserve energy and optimize performance for the Paris Olympics. The season will begin with the Shanghai Diamond League on April 27, followed by the Doha Diamond League on May 10. Sreeshankar will then train in Cyprus for 40 days before returning for the Inter-state competition in June.In addition to reducing travel and competition, Sreeshankar is also experimenting with a new runup technique. He will transition from a static start to a running start, which is expected to increase his speed on the runway and potentially lead to longer jumps."If you want to go big at the Olympics, you have to do something extraordinary," said Murali. "The target is to go beyond the 8.50m mark, and for that, we have to do something different."Sreeshankar's training conditions in Palakkad have been favorable, and he is confident in his preparation. "Training conditions are very good here now," said Murali. "We have almost all the facilities here."With the Paris Olympics as his primary focus, Sreeshankar is determined to make the most of his opportunities and deliver a memorable performance on the world's biggest stage.

Ram Baboo's remarkable journey from humble beginnings to Olympic qualification is a testament to his unwavering determination and exceptional talent. The 25-year-old race walker has etched his name in Indian sporting history by becoming the seventh Indian male walker to qualify for the Paris Olympics.Baboo's rise to prominence has been meteoric. After transitioning from marathon to race walking six years ago, he quickly mastered the intricate technique, showcasing his natural aptitude for the sport. His bronze medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games in the 35km race walk further solidified his credentials.In Slovakia, Baboo faced challenging conditions, including cold temperatures and wet surfaces. Despite these obstacles, he displayed remarkable resilience and determination, clocking a personal best time of 1:20:00 and securing a podium finish. This achievement not only earned him a spot in the Paris Olympics but also boosted his confidence ahead of the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships in Antalya.Baboo's success is not merely a reflection of his athletic prowess but also a testament to his unwavering spirit. Growing up in a financially disadvantaged family, he witnessed firsthand the struggles his father faced as a laborer. Determined to break the cycle of poverty, Baboo embraced sports as a path to a better future.With his Olympic qualification, Baboo has not only achieved his personal dreams but also inspired countless others from underprivileged backgrounds. His story serves as a reminder that with hard work, dedication, and a belief in oneself, anything is possible.

Former Indian boxing legend Venkatesan Devarajan, who holds the distinction of being the first Indian boxer to secure a World Cup medal on foreign soil, has expressed his keen interest in assuming the coaching reins of the Indian boxing team. This development comes in the wake of the team's High Performance Director, Bernard Dunne, tendering his resignation following the team's dismal performance at the recent Olympic qualifiers in Italy.India's boxers failed to secure a single quota for the Paris Olympics at the world qualifiers, leaving only four Indian women boxers who have earned their spots through the Asian Games. With just two months remaining before the final Olympic qualifiers in Thailand on May 23, Indian boxing finds itself in a precarious position.While Dunne's resignation has been accepted, foreign coach Dmitry Dmitruk, who was brought in by Dunne, is also expected to be relieved of his duties. With four months to go until the Paris Olympics, the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) is likely to turn to Indian coaches to guide the team through these turbulent waters. A BFI executive committee meeting has been scheduled for Friday to deliberate on this matter."I am eager to impart my knowledge and experience to the team. If the BFI grants me the opportunity, I would be honored to assist the team. I intend to engage in discussions with the BFI," stated Devarajan, who clinched a bronze medal at the 1994 World Cup in Thailand. Devarajan represented India at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics (bantamweight) and served on the BFI's selection panel for an extended period."Boxing is not merely a physical endeavor; at the elite level, it also becomes a mental game. Strategy, meticulous planning, and mental fortitude are paramount in boxing. When competing at the Olympic level, boxers must maintain emotional composure within the ring," emphasized Devarajan, an Arjuna Awardee who coached the World Boxing Series team Mumbai Fighters, which featured several international boxers.During his prime, Chennai-based Devarajan garnered two medals at the prestigious Cuba International Boxing Meet, Kings Cup, and President's Cup. He holds the distinction of defeating Mongolian professional boxer Lakva Sim, a world champion in two weight classes, on three separate occasions."I have had the privilege of training with the world-renowned Cuban team in Bangalore in 1991 and subsequently traveled to Cuba for further training. I possess the experience of competing at the highest level and preparing boxers for elite competitions. I am well-versed in the strengths and weaknesses of our boxers. In recent years, our boxers have adopted a uniform style against all opponents. We must employ diverse strategies and techniques based on the strengths and weaknesses of our opponents," asserted Devarajan, who believes that selection trials are crucial for assessing form and fitness.

Russia's Sports Minister Oleg Matytsin has urged against boycotting the upcoming Paris Olympics despite the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) restrictions on Russian athletes. The IOC suspended Russia from the 2024 Games due to the Kremlin's offensive in Ukraine, but allowed Russian athletes to compete as neutrals if they do not support the war.Matytsin emphasized the importance of maintaining dialogue and participation in competitions. He acknowledged that the IOC's stance is unlikely to soften, but stressed the need for Russian athletes to have the opportunity to compete. He noted that different international federations have varying approaches to Russian participation, with some banning it outright and others allowing it under neutral status.Despite the ban, Matytsin believes the Olympics remain crucial for Russia. He stated that it is essential to provide athletes with a platform to showcase their abilities and demonstrate the country's sporting prowess. He added that the decision of whether or not to participate should be left to individual athletes, as each federation has its own regulations.Russia has previously condemned the IOC's restrictions as discriminatory and humiliating. However, it has not yet issued a formal recommendation to its athletes regarding participation in Paris. President Vladimir Putin has also refrained from providing guidance, stating that the conditions need to be carefully analyzed.The IOC's restrictions include a ban on Russian and Belarusian flags and anthems, as well as a prohibition on government officials attending the Games. Athletes from these countries must also not actively support the war or be affiliated with military or security agencies.Russia's participation in the Olympic movement has been limited in recent years due to state-sponsored doping scandals. The country was banned from the 2018 Winter Olympics and had its participation in the 2020 Summer Olympics restricted.

Rising javelin star Kishore Kumar Jena is poised to make a mark at the upcoming Paris Olympics, following his impressive performance at the Asian Games and his recent training regimen.Jena, who hails from a farming family in Odisha, has been making waves in the javelin throw since his toe-to-toe battle with Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra at the world athletics meet in Budapest last year. At the Asian Games in Hangzhou, Jena and Chopra made history by securing a javelin one-two finish.With the Paris Olympics just over 130 days away, Jena is confident that India can win multiple javelin medals. "As per rule, three players can compete from one country in javelin throw. That increases the probability of winning more medals in Paris," he said.Jena's training at the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports (NSNIS) in Patiala has been instrumental in his progress. He has been working on improving his core and shoulder strength through various weight training exercises.Jena's season has started on a positive note, and he is optimistic about his performance in 2024. "I believe 2024 will be a great season for me. Practice is going well, and I am getting support from every quarter," he said.Jena's target for the Doha leg of the Diamond League season in May is to continue improving his results and overcome his weaknesses. He values the guidance and support of Chopra, who he considers a mentor rather than a competitor.During the Hangzhou Asian Games, Jena's personal best throw of 87.54m pushed Chopra to give his all, resulting in a monster throw of 88.88m and a gold medal for the Olympic champion. Jena's silver medal and qualification for Paris 2024 were significant achievements."At that time, I was happy that I had qualified for Paris 2024. I went up to him (Chopra) and even told him that I have qualified. He boosted my confidence saying I can post a bigger throw," Jena recalled.Jena's aim at his maiden Olympics is to achieve his personal best. "Like everyone, my aim is to win a medal, but that is not entirely under my control," he said.