Neeraj Chopra Leads India’s 28-Member Athletics Charge at the Paris Olympics

Neeraj Chopra, India’s golden javelin thrower, will be the spearhead of the nation’s 28-member athletics contingent at the upcoming Paris Olympics, starting July 26th, 2024. This news comes after Chopra strategically skipped the recent Diamond League meet in Paris to focus his training entirely on the quadrennial extravaganza.

A Star Leads the Way

Chopra’s leadership role is a natural fit. He etched his name in history at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics by becoming the first Indian track and field athlete to claim an Olympic gold medal. This time around, he’ll be aiming to defend his title and add another glorious chapter to Indian athletics.

Chopra won’t be alone in the javelin throw event. He’ll be joined by fellow Indian athlete Kishore Jena, making his Olympic debut.

A Look at the Squad

The 28-member squad is a mix of seasoned campaigners and promising newcomers. Here’s a glimpse at some of the other notable names:

• Men’s: Avinash Sable (3,000m steeplechase), Tajinderpal Singh Toor (shot put), Praveen Chithravel and Abulla Aboobacker (triple jump), A contingent of race walkers including Akshdeep Singh, Vikash Singh, and Paramjeet Singh Bisht. The men’s 4x400m relay team will also be in action, featuring athletes like Muhammed Anas, Amoj Jacob, and Santhosh Tamilarasan.
• Women’s: Sprinter Kiran Pahal (400m), distance runner Parul Chaudhary (3,000m steeplechase and 5,000m), hurdler Jyothi Yarraji (100m hurdles). Annu Rani, a gold medalist at the 2023 Asian Games, will be competing in javelin throw alongside Abha Khatua (shot put). The women’s 4x400m relay team will include athletes like Poovamma MR and Priyanka Goswami.

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Hope for Medals Across Disciplines

With a strong mix of experience and talent, the Indian athletics squad has the potential to impress at the Paris Olympics. While Chopra’s gold medal defense is a major focus, there are strong contenders in other disciplines who could challenge for podium finishes. The coming weeks will see the entire nation cheering on these athletes as they strive for Olympic glory.

DISCLAIMER: This team is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While selecting your team, consider the points mentioned and make your own decision.