Neeraj Chopra Announces Return to Action at Lausanne Diamond League, Will See Doctor After

Neeraj Chopra won a historic silver medal in the men’s javelin throw event at the 2024 Paris Olympics but the 26-year-old athlete is already training hard to return to the track.

After the end of the 33rd Summer Games, Chopra did not return to India like his compatriots but is currently training in Magglingen, Switzerland with his coach Klaus Bartonietz and physio Ishaan Marwaha.

When asked when he will be back in action, Neeraj Chopra told the media, during an interaction facilitated by JSW: “I have finally decided to participate in the Lausanne Diamond League, which begins August 22”.

He clarified that he did not stay back in Europe to see a doctor, as reported earlier.

“Luckily, the Paris Olympics went well, and I didn’t have much difficulty with my injury. So I thought of completing the season and taking the doctor’s advice regarding treatment afterwards.”

“At the end of September, I’ll be back in India after the season ends. I will meet the doctor for my groin issues,” he added.

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Neeraj lost out only to Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, who clinched Gold with an Olympic record throw of 92.97m.

“I have a lot on my mind. When I am throwing, 60-70 per cent focus of my is on the injury. I don’t want to get injured. Whenever I go for a throw, you will see that my speed is low. I am pushing myself,” Neeraj said.

“The doctor told me to go for surgery but I didn’t have that much time to take that decision before the world championship or after the world championship because it takes a lot of time to prepare for the Olympics,” he added.

Neeraj though lauded Pakistan’s Nadeem for winning the gold medal and added that he was could have won but “his body didn’t allow”.

“Nadeem is a very hardworking player and competing against him is always full of positivity and that day too I was quite sure that we would have a good fight,” Chopra said.

“After he made an Olympic record in his second attempt it created pressure on everyone, but since I had competed him previously I was quite sure that I will break his record after my second attempt which was close to 90, but somehow my body didn’t allow.”

“It is never easy to perform in the Olympics and especially when you are defending your medal. The second throw and from there I knew that I can breach the Olympic record but somehow I was not able to do as my body didn’t allow. I am happy that I won a silver medal for the country, not the gold but I will work on the things which are needed to recover well,” Chopra added.