Neeraj Chopra leads the Indian athletics team to Paris Olympics

Neeraj Chopra, Paris Olympics

The Indian contingent for the upcoming Paris Olympics is all set, with a 28-member athletics team ready to take on the world’s best. Leading the charge is none other than Neeraj Chopra, the reigning Olympic champion in javelin throw. The 26-year-old superstar has been diligently preparing for the quadrennial event, even skipping the final Diamond League meet in Paris to focus solely on the Olympics.

The team selection comes as no surprise, with most athletes being those who were expected to make the cut. There’s a good balance between experience and youth, with 17 men and 11 women athletes representing India. Among the familiar faces are Asian Games gold medalists Avinash Sable (3000m steeplechase) and Tejinderpal Singh Toor (shot put). Jyothi Yarraji, the first Indian woman to qualify for the 100m hurdles in the Olympics, is another exciting addition to the team.

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A lot of attention will be on the men’s 4x400m relay team. This quartet, comprising Muhammed Anas, Muhammed Ajmal, Amoj Jacob, and Rajesh Ramesh, created a stir at the recent World Championships by clocking a faster time than the USA team in one of the heats. They’ll be hoping to replicate that feat and challenge for a medal in Paris.

The track and field events at the Olympics will be held at the Stade de France from August 1 to August 11. This year, there’s a new addition to the program: a mixed-relay event for marathon race walk. However, the men’s 50km race walk has been excluded.

The Indian athletics team for the Paris Olympics:

Men’s Team:

  • Avinash Sable (3,000m steeplechase)
  • Neeraj Chopra (javelin throw)
  • Kishore Kumar Jena (javelin throw)
  • Tajinderpal Singh Toor (shot put)
  • Praveen Chithravel (triple jump)
  • Abulla Aboobacker (triple jump)
  • Akshdeep Singh (track event – details not mentioned)
  • Vikash Singh (track event – details not mentioned)
  • Paramjeet Singh Bisht (20km race walk)
  • Muhammed Anas (4x400m relay)
  • Muhammed Ajmal (4x400m relay)
  • Amoj Jacob (4x400m relay)
  • Santhosh Tamilarasan (track event – details not mentioned)
  • Rajesh Ramesh (4x400m relay)
  • Mijo Chacko Kurian (4x400m relay – alternate)
  • Suraj Panwar (race walk mixed marathon)
  • Sarvesh Anil Kushare (High Jump)

Women’s Team:

  • Kiran Pahal (400m)
  • Parul Chaudhary (3,000m steeplechase and 5,000m)
  • Jyothi Yarraji (100m hurdles)
  • Annu Rani (javelin throw)
  • Abha Khatua (shot put)
  • Jyothika Sri Dandi (track event – details not mentioned)
  • Subha Venkatesan (track event – details not mentioned)
  • Vithya Ramraj (track event – details not mentioned)
  • Poovamma MR (4x400m relay)
  • Prachi (4x400m relay – alternate)
  • Priyanka Goswami (20km race walk/race walk mixed marathon)

This Indian athletics team has a strong mix of experience and potential. With Neeraj Chopra leading the charge and other promising athletes ready to make their mark, the fans can expect some exciting performances at the Paris Olympics. The team’s focus and determination in the coming weeks will be crucial in their quest for medals.