9 months ago. New Delhi, Delhi, India

August 7 named ‘Javelin Throw Day’ to honour Neeraj Chopra

AFI Planning Committee chairman Lalit Bhanot said competitions will be held on August 7 to promote the sport
Neeraj Chopra became the first Indian to win an individual Olympic gold medal in a track and field event on August 7
Chopra said he was "living a dream" following his win at the Tokyo Olympics

The Athletics Federation of India on Tuesday confirmed plans to observe August 7 as ‘Javelin Throw Day’ every year and host competitions across the country to promote the sport. Lalit Bhanot, Chairman of the AFI’s Planning Committee, said August 7 was chosen in honour of Neeraj Chopra’s gold medal-winning performance on that day during the recently-concluded Tokyo Olympics.

Chopra created history on August 7 by becoming the first Indian athlete to win an individual gold medal in a track and field event, as he threw his javelin a distance of 87.58 metres.

“The Athletics Federation of India’s planning committee has decided to further promote javelin throwing and will hold competitions every year throughout the country on August 7 as Neeraj Chopra won the gold in Tokyo on this day,” Bhanot was quoted as saying by ANI.

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The comments came during a felicitation ceremony of the Indian athletics contingent that went to participate in the Tokyo Olympics.

https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1424963570605846530

Meanwhile, Chopra was given a hero’s welcome back in India at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi on Monday, with supporters swarming the star athlete upon his arrival.

The 23-year-old said he was “living a dream”, adding he couldn’t believe his victory as the competition was “quite tough”.

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“It's an athlete's dream to win a medal, I just couldn't believe I won gold. I thought I was living a dream. When I came to India, things were very different. Only then did I realise that yes, I have done something big for the country,” he said at the ceremony on Tuesday.

Indian athletes are usually not considered top contenders for the podium places, but Chopra said that the entire contingent was motivated to change that outlook.

“The thinking among the Indian athletes was very different this time. No one was satisfied with just participating, everyone wanted to win a medal,” he said.

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August 7 named ‘Javelin Throw Day’ to honour Neeraj Chopra

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