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.

Also Read | Bonanza for all Neerajs: Gujarat petrol pump offers free fuel worth Rs 501

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

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”.

Also Read | Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra, the new brand on the block

“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.