Neeraj Chopra, India’s champion javelin player, will not be participating in the upcoming Commonwealth Games. The Indian Olympic Association cited “fitness concerns” while making the announcement on Tuesday afternoon.

Chopra, 24, was expected to be the Indian contingent flagbearer at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, which commence on July 28. Chopra won a historic silver medal at the World Athletics Championship in Eugene last week.

Also Read: Why boxer Lovlina Borgohain’s coach is not a part of CWG 2022 contingent, BFI explains

Rajiv Mehta, the Secretary General of the Indian Olympic Association, said in a statement that Chopra had been advised to rest for one month after suffering a strain in his groin.

“Team India javelin thrower Mr. Neeraj Chopra had called me earlier today from the US to convey his inability to take part in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games owing to fitness concerns,” Mehta said.

“Following his participation in the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Mr. Chopra had had an MRI scan done on Monday and, based on it, he has been advised a month’s rest by his medical team,” Mehta added.

The 24-year-old had become only the second Indian athlete to win a medal at World Championship, after Anju Bobby George, who won a bronze medal in long jump at the 2003 World Championship held in Paris.

While it is unclear who will be the flagbearer, India team’s chef de mission Rajesh Bhandari said that officials will meet on Tuesday evening to make a decision, news agency PTI reported.

Also Read: Sandhya Gurung’s role in turning Lovlina Borgohain into a ‘lion’

DP Manu and Rohit Yadav are expected to step up in the Commonwealth Games this month. Other athletes in the mix are Keshorn Walcott and Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem.

The injury has also put into question Chopra’s participation in the Lausanne Diamond League, which is set to begin on August 26, 2022. Chopra had tagged the diamond league as one of his top goals in a recent press conference.