2024 is set to be a huge year for Indian sport as all eyes are on the 2024 Paris Olympics and the events preceding it.
In 2023, Indian track and field athletes achieved unprecedented success, as evidenced by Neeraj Chopra's status as the first-ever senior world champion in a track and field event and their record-breaking medal haul at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, People's Republic of China.
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"[2023] was a rollercoaster for me because of the injury … but the big highlight was the World Championship, I liked my throw in the Asian Games also, but I feel my throwing was good in training but because of injury I didn’t do my best this year, so hopefully next year I’ll throw my best,” he told Al Jazeera in an exclusive interview.
“My biggest goal is to improve my throw. I want to throw more. I want to throw far, yes of course I won gold in Tokyo but I want to win medals again and again.”
Neeraj and his fellow track and field athletes will try to maintain the momentum in 2024 when the Olympics will be held in Paris.
Ahead of the Olympic Games, the Indian golden boy is set to compete in the Doha phase of the Wanda Diamond League.
Regarding competing in Doha, Chopra said, "Last year my dream was to win the World Championships, but to have three Indian athletes competing in the final - that shows we’re progressing as a nation. This year, my personal goal is to defend my Olympic title, but it would also mean a lot to me to break the 90m barrier.
"The Doha Meeting, with good conditions and a great atmosphere, is a perfect opportunity to get my season off to the best start. I’m always overwhelmed by the warm support I get from Indians across the world and in Qatar that is particularly special. I feel privileged that so many people come out to support me and I hope I can repay their faith in me with a good performance.”
The Sporting News takes a look at all the tournaments Neeraj is set to participate in in 2024.
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Neeraj Chopra's schedule for 2024
In addition to the 2024 Paris Olympics, Neeraj is set to feature in a host of other events in 2024.
Event | Date |
Doha Diamond League (Qatar) | May 10, 2024 |
Paris Diamond League (France) | July 7, 2024 |
Paris Olympics (France) | August 1-11, 2024 |
Lausanne Diamond League (Switzerland) | August 22, 2024 |
Zurich Diamond League (Switzerland) | September 5, 2024 |
Brussels Diamond League Finals (Belgium) | September 13-14, 2024 |
All major events for Indian athletes for 2024
Two significant international athletics events will be held in India in 2024. Chennai will host the SAFF Junior Athletics Championships from April 12–14. From October 4–6, Ranchi will host the senior SAFF championships.
For Indian athletes hoping to secure an Olympic quota for Paris, the first half of the year's competitions would be essential.
With the exception of the marathon events, the Paris 2024 qualification and ranking period is already in place and will go until June 30, 2024. The marathon qualifies runners up to April 30, 2024.
Dates | Event | Venue |
---|---|---|
January 21 | Asian Marathon Championships | Hong Kong China |
February 21 to 23 | Asian Indoor Athletics Championships | Tehran, Iran |
March 1 to 3 | World Indoor Athletics Championships | Glasgow, Scotland |
March 3 | SAFF Cross Country Championships | Lahore, Pakistan |
April 12 to 14 | SAFF Junior Athletics Championships | Chennai, India |
April 17 | Asian 20km Race Walking Championships | Nomi, Japan |
April 20 | Xiamen Diamond League | China |
April 21 to 22 | World Race Walking Team Championships | Antalya, Turkey |
April 24 to 27 | Asian Junior Athletics Championships | Dubai |
April 27 | Shanghai/Suzhou Diamond League | China |
May 4 to 5 | World Athletics Relay | Nassau, Bahamas |
May 10 | Doha Diamond League | Doha, Qatar |
May 19 | Rabat/Marrakech Diamond League | Morocco |
May 25 | Eugene Diamond League | Oregon, USA |
May 30 | Oslo Diamond League | Norway |
June 2 | Stockholm Diamond League | Sweden |
July 7 | Paris Diamond League | France |
July 12 | Monaco Diamond League | Monaco |
July 20 | London Diamond League | UK |
August 1 to 11 | Paris Olympics | Paris, France |
August 22 | Lausanne Diamond League | Switzerland |
August 25 | Silesia Diamond League | Poland |
August 26 to 31 | World U-20 Athletics Championships | Lima, Peru |
August 30 | Rome Diamond League | Italy |
September 5 | Zurich Diamond League | Switzerland |
September 13 to 14 | Brussels Diamond League Finals | Belgium |
October 4 to 6 | SAFF Athletics Championships | Ranchi, India |
October 11 | Asian Cross Country Championships | Hong Kong China |