Neeraj Chopra, the reigning Olympic javelin champion, concluded his 2024 season with a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, showcasing incredible resilience despite battling injuries. While he fell just short of his own expectations, he consistently performed at the top level throughout the year, a testament to his determination. In fact, Chopra finished in the top two in all six competitions he participated in during the 2024 season, a streak that stretches back to 2021. His impressive run includes both a gold and silver medal at the Olympics and World Championships.
Despite this remarkable consistency, Chopra downplayed his achievements, highlighting the lessons learned throughout the year. He even revealed that he had competed with a fractured hand in the Diamond League finals in Brussels. “As the 2024 season ends, I look back on everything I’ve learned throughout the year — about improvement, setbacks, mentality, and more. On Monday, I injured myself in practice, and X-rays showed that I had fractured the fourth metacarpal in my left hand. It was another painful challenge for me. But with the help of my team, I was able to participate in Brussels. This was the last competition of the year, and I wanted to end my season on the track. While I couldn’t meet my own expectations, I feel this was a season in which I learned a lot. I am now determined to return fully fit and ready. I want to thank all of you for your encouragement. 2024 has made me a better athlete and person. See you in 2025,” Chopra shared on his social media accounts.
Chopra’s self-assessment reflects a recurring theme throughout the year: the constant battle against injuries. He admitted to competing since 2018 with an injured groin muscle, an injury that he has consistently postponed surgery for, choosing to focus on major competitions. This resilience allowed him to secure a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, a throw that would have earned him gold in five of the previous six Olympic Games. However, he still felt a sense of disappointment, acknowledging the impact of his injury on his performance.
“I know there is a big throw in me, but I’m not able to get it out. I’m not able to get it out because I’m not able to throw with the freedom I want. Every time I throw, I’m constantly thinking about not getting injured again,” he expressed after the Paris Games.
Despite the individual success of Chopra, the overall performance of the Indian track and field contingent at the Paris Olympics was underwhelming. Beyond Chopra’s silver, Avinash Sable, the men’s 3,000m steeplechase national record holder, was the only other Indian to reach a final, finishing 11th in his event. The men’s 4x400m relay team narrowly missed qualifying for the final, while the women’s 4x400m relay team failed to make a mark on the competition. Several national champions, including Annu Rani, Tajinderpal Singh Toor, Praveen Chithravel, Jyothi Yarraji, Jeswin Aldrin, and Parul Chaudhary, all faltered, falling short of their qualification marks.
The disappointment extended to the Junior World Championships in Lima, Peru, where India managed to secure just one medal, in the women’s 10km race walk. India made the finals in only four events, and only Sharukh Khan in the men’s 3,000m steeplechase set a new national record.
This underwhelming performance has prompted the Athletics Federation of India to consider revamping the qualification system. The goal is to encourage athletes to compete more frequently in India, earning points that will ultimately determine their spot on the national team. However, the Federation faces numerous challenges, including the issue of doping. During the 2024 season, several promising Indian athletes, including Manu DP and Parvej Khan, failed drug tests, facing lengthy bans.
The upcoming 2025 season holds two major competitions: the 2025 Asian Championships and the World Championships in Tokyo. While India will aim to perform well at these events, the focus will be on Neeraj Chopra’s recovery and his ability to regain his confidence and throw with the freedom he desires. The 2024 season served as a reminder of Chopra’s incredible resilience, but it also highlighted the need for systemic improvements within Indian athletics. The future success of Indian track and field will depend on addressing these challenges and providing the necessary support to athletes to reach their full potential.
