SAI should build indoor arena for javelin throw: Neeraj

NEW DELHI: With the Tokyo Olympic Games around the corner India's star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra is disappointed that he can't compete in international events in Europe due to a huge spike in Coronavirus cases in India.

"We were supposed to go to Turkey in the last week of April but couldn't go because several European nations banned Indians due to the surge in [Covid] pandemic cases in India," he said during an online media interaction on Wednesday.

Chopra, 23, had qualified for the Tokyo Olympics in January 2020 in South Africa.

While Chopra was training in Patiala's hot and humid weather conditions last week his rivals, particularly Germany's Johannes Vetter, were competing in the European Throwing Cup in Split, Croatia. Vetter, 28, won gold with a throw of 91.12 metres.

Chopra's personal best -- and the national record -- is 88.07m, set in March in Patiala.

He said that South Africa is good for training in winter while Europe is an excellent training base during summer as it gets too hot and humid in Patiala.

"We should have an indoor stadium to train in all weather conditions in Patiala. I've seen several small countries have indoor facilities. The Sports Authority of India too should think of building one in Patiala, which is one of the major training centres for athletics in India," said Chopra.

Top javelin throwers will compete on May 19 and 21 in Europe, but Indian throwers will again miss the opportunity due to pandemic.

Chopra said high quality competitions are important before going to a major event like the Olympics. IANS

Also Read: Uncertainty for Saina, Srikanth as Olympic qualifiers cancelled

Also Watch: Sick Mentality: Wife Molested While Husband Begged for Covid Treatment, Onlookers Did Nothing