Neeraj Chopra to miss PM’s felicitation ceremony for Diamond League

Vinayak Padmadeo

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Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 12

Neeraj Chopra, the star of India’s Olympics contingent, will not take part in the Independence Day celebrations as well as the felicitation of the Indian Olympians being hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Neeraj, who finished second behind Arshad Nadeem in the javelin competition at the Paris Games, has already shifted base to Lausanne, Switzerland, to take part in the Diamond League. The competition is scheduled to happen on August 22 and he was keen to reach early to train.

The Indian contingent — those returning from Paris after the closing ceremony and those who are already in the country — will be trooping in the capital from Tuesday. As per the schedule shared with the athletes, they would first meet President Droupadi Murmu on August 14 and then are to take part in the flag hoisting ceremony at Red Fort and then will head for the PM’s function.

“Yes, Neeraj is in Switzerland and he has prior commitments. He is taking part in the Diamond League. He is not the only one, (Avinash) Sable and Priyanka (Goswami) are also there,” said a source with the Athletics Federation of India (AFI).

“The season is not over because the Olympics are over. There are two more meets to take part in for him and others if I am not mistaken,” he added.

Neeraj’s uncle Bhim Chopra said that the javelin star is unlikely to be back in the country before September. “I can confirm he is not coming back anytime soon. He is already in Switzerland as he has to take part in a competition,” Chopra told The Tribune.

Chopra also added that his nephew wants to return without hype or any celebrations. “I really do not know when he is coming back home. It will be sometime in September. He has also told me that he wants to quietly come back and doesn’t want the swagat ceremony as was being planned by a few of our friends,” he added.

He is already in Switzerland as he has to take part in a competition. I really do not know when he is coming back home. It will be sometime in September. He has also told me that he wants to quietly come back and doesn’t want the swagat ceremony as was being planned by a few of our friends. — Bhim Chopra, Neeraj’s uncle