Paris 2024 Olympics: What is known about Neeraj Chopra’s groin injury that caught him out
Photo: PTI
Double Olympic medalist Neeraj Chopra On Thursday, he admitted that he has been suffering from a long-standing groin injury and that it is one of the reasons why he has not been able to fly his javelin over longer distances. Having shot to stardom with his gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, Neeraj dropped one place on the podium to finish with a silver at the Paris Olympics.
With the Paris Games almost over, Neeraj could undergo surgery to treat his old groin injury. He admitted that now is the time to address the long-term problem and he will consult doctors for further examination.
Surgery could be an option, meaning Neeraj will be out of action for a while, though there are no major events scheduled, except for a few Diamond League meets and the final of the prestigious tournament.
Neeraj (89.45m) finished behind Pakistan. Arshad Nadeemwho stole the show with an Olympic record throw of 92.97m to become his nation’s first individual Olympic gold medallist.
“I have a lot of things on my mind. When I am bowling, 60-70 per cent of my focus is on the injury. I don’t want to get injured. Whenever I try to bowl, you can see my speed is low. I am trying my best,” Neeraj admitted after his performance in Paris.
“The doctor told me to undergo surgery but I didn’t have much time to take that decision before or after the World Championships because it takes a long time to prepare for the Olympics,” Neeraj added.
The double Olympic medallist, despite not being at his best in Paris, became the third Indian to win back-to-back Olympic medals after PV Sindhu and Sushil Kumar. Manu Bhaker made history in Paris by winning two medals in the same edition.
Neeraj was battling a nagging adductor pain ahead of the Paris Olympics but ran his season-best 89.45m to take silver, becoming the first Indian track and field athlete to have two Olympic medals.
Neeraj, perhaps for the first time, spoke about how the injury has affected him. “I can’t bowl from a full track. I have been bowling for the last one or two years. Most bowlers bowl 40-50 in a session. It took me two-three weeks to complete a session because I am scared of getting injured,” Neeraj said.
The Lausanne Diamond League is scheduled for August 22 and it remains to be seen whether the two-time Olympic medallist will take part in the tournament or undergo surgery before then.
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