Neeraj Chopra Only Exception, Mandatory for Other Elite Athletes to Participate Inter-State Athletics: AFI

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President of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) Adille Sumariwalla announced a crucial mandate for elite athletes aspiring for the Paris Olympics 2024, saying all elite athletes will have to compete in the Inter-State Athletics Championships in Panchkula on June 27-30.

Speaking to the media on the third day of the Federation Cup in Bhubaneswar (May 14), Sumariwalla stated, "Barring Neeraj Chopra, all athletes will have to compete in the Inter-State if they want to be in the Paris Olympics."

The directive means athletes, who have already qualified for the pairs Olympics are required to participate in the Inter-States. The exception being Neeraj Chopra, who is exempted as he prepares for the Paris Diamond League on July 7.

Reigning Olympic Champion's exemption stems from his outstanding performance last year, where he surpassed the qualifying mark, solidifying his place in Paris. Alongside him, Kishore Kumar Jena has also breached the qualifying mark but the mandate suggests he will be coming to Panchkula.

Also athletes such as Avinash Sable, Parul Chaudhary (steeplechase), Murali Sreeshankar (long jump), Akshdeep Singh, Priyanka Goswami, Vikas Singh, and Paramjeet Bisht (racewalk), who have earned their Paris Olympics berths by meeting the stringent qualifying standards set forth by international regulations.

It's worth noting that many elite athletes have been diligently competing abroad, seeking top-tier competition primarily in the European circuit. However, the AFI's mandate underscores the importance of domestic participation in the Inter-State championships as a prerequisite for Paris Olympics qualification when the ongoing Federation Cup has many prominent names missing

This includes the likes of Sreeshankar, Jyothi Yarraji (100m hurdles), Amlan Borgohain (200m), Harmilan Bains (1500m), Avinash Sable, Parul Chaudhary (steeplechase) among others.