Neeraj Chopra Clarifies Paris Diamond League Absence: Focused on Olympic Preparation

Olympic and world champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra announced that the Paris Diamond League was not part of his competition calendar. Chopra addressed reports citing adductor issues, saying he is focused on preparing for the Olympics. The Athletics Federation of India had exempted him from recent mandatory competitions.

Olympic and world champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has clarified that the Paris Diamond League, held last Sunday, was never part of his competition calendar this year.

This statement comes in response to media reports suggesting that Chopra pulled out of the event due to an adductor niggle that has been bothering him for the past couple of months.

Through a post on 'X,' the 26-year-old athlete dispelled any notion of a withdrawal, explaining that he hadn't even entered his name for the competition.

''The #ParisDL wasn't part of my competition calendar this season, so I haven't 'withdrawn' from it. I'm concentrating on preparing for the Olympic Games,'' Chopra shared.

''Thanks for your understanding and support, and best of luck to all the athletes competing! #RoadToOlympics,'' he added.

Neeraj was excused from last week's National Inter-State Championships, a mandatory event for all Indian athletes, by the Athletics Federation Of India (AFI).

The AFI justified the exemption, citing the brief interval between the domestic event and the Diamond League scheduled for July 7.

AFI president Adille Sumariwalla noted, ''We have mandated that every athlete will compete in the Inter-State Championships. However, the Paris Diamond League clashes with this event. We believe the Diamond League will be crucial for Neeraj before the Olympic Games, hence he is the only athlete given special permission to participate in the Federation Cup.''

Chopra had earlier mentioned that his competition schedule would be aligned with his physical condition.

He stated, ''We had initially planned for me to compete at the National Inter-State Championships, but its close proximity to the Paris Olympics made it challenging.''

''Since I was recently competing in Doha, closer to India, and with the Paris Diamond League in between the National Inter-State and the Olympics, we decided it was best to participate in the Federation Cup.''

Neeraj, who made history by becoming the first Indian to win a track and field medal at the Tokyo Olympics, won gold at the Paavo Nurmi Games last month. He revealed his adductor niggle would necessitate consulting with doctors post the Paris Olympics.

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