The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has unveiled the 28-member athletics team for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Led by Neeraj Chopra, the defending Olympic champion in men’s javelin throw, the team comprises a mix of seasoned Olympians and promising debutants.
Paris 2024 Olympics: Neeraj Chopra Leads the Charge
Neeraj Chopra, who made history by winning India’s first-ever Olympic gold in track and field at the Tokyo Olympics, is set to defend his title in Paris. Accompanying him in the men’s javelin throw event is Olympic debutant Kishore Jena. Annu Rani, another notable athlete who clinched gold at the Asian Games, will compete in the women’s javelin throw.
Paris 2024 Olympics: Veteran and New Faces
The squad includes eight athletes who participated in the Tokyo Olympics, alongside newcomers making their Olympic debuts. Prominent names returning to the Olympic stage include men’s 3000m steeplechase athlete Avinash Sable, men’s shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor, women’s race walker Priyanka Goswami, and members of the 4x400m relay teams.
Paris 2024 Olympics: Promising Debuts
Notable debutants include Jyothi Yarraji in the 100m hurdles, Abha Khatua in the shot put, and Parul Chaudhary, who will compete in both the 3000m steeplechase and the 5000m race. Chaudhary won gold in the 5000m and silver in the steeplechase at the Asian Games last year.
Mixed Marathon Race Walk
In the mixed marathon race walk event, Priyanka Goswami and Suraj Panwar will represent India. Goswami, who also competes in the women’s 20km race walk, is a Commonwealth Games silver medallist.
Team Composition
The team is composed of 17 men and 11 women athletes, showcasing a wide range of events from javelin throw to race walking. Below is the complete list of the athletes:
| Event | Athletes |
|---|---|
| Men’s 3000m Steeplechase | Avinash Sable |
| Men’s Javelin Throw | Neeraj Chopra, Kishore Jena |
| Men’s Shot Put | Tajinderpal Singh Toor |
| Men’s Triple Jump | Praveen Chithravel, Abdulla Aboobacker |
| Men’s High Jump | Sarvesh Kushare |
| Men’s 20km Race Walk | Akshdeep Singh, Vikash Singh, Paramjeet Singh Bisht |
| Men’s 4x400m Relay | Muhammed Anas, Muhammed Ajmal, Amoj Jacob, Santhosh Kumar Tamilarasan, Rajesh Ramesh, Mijo Chacko Kurian |
| Race Walk Mixed Marathon | Suraj Panwar, Priyanka Goswami |
| Women’s 400m | Kiran Pahal |
| Women’s 3000m Steeplechase and 5000m | Parul Chaudhary |
| Women’s 100m Hurdles | Jyothi Yarraji |
| Women’s Javelin Throw | Annu Rani |
| Women’s Shot Put | Abha Khatua |
| Women’s 4x400m Relay | Jyothika Sri Dandi, Subha Venkatesan, Vithya Ramraj, MR Poovamma, Prachi |
| Women’s 20km Race Walk | Priyanka Goswami |
Looking Forward
With a blend of experienced Olympians and fresh talent, the Indian athletics team is poised to make a strong showing at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The athletes have been preparing rigorously and are eager to bring glory to the nation on the world stage.
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