It will be gold in Paris too: AFI chief Adille Sumariwalla

Athletics Federation of India AFI chief Adille Sumariwalla is confident that Tokyo Olympics gold medallist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra will repeat his performance at the 2024 Paris GamesldquoNeeraj will create history again He is just 23 and I am sure he will repeat his performance at Paris in 2024 He has a strong mindset is very focused and is professional as an athlete He can play for at least 10 more yearsrdquo Sumariwalla told midday from New Delhi on MondayChopra on Saturday bagged gold with a throw of 8758m the first Olympic medal by an Indian athlete in track and field He also became only the second Indian individual athlete after former shooter Abhinav Bindra 2008 Beijing to clinch an Olympic gold Chopra has become the darling of the nation overnight and is being showered with cash awards and prizes from both the government as well as the private sector And it is this newfound fame and glamour that Indiarsquos javelin super star may struggle to handle felt Sumariwalla 63 who competed in the 100m sprint at the 1980 Moscow OlympicsAdille SumariwallaExpectationsldquoAll these things will play a role now You cannot give him a oneday lecture on how to face these situations We AFI will be talking to him from time to time about how to handle glamour and stardom It will be a very big challenge for him because the minute you become a star like say Virat Kohli or Sachin Tendulkar people start expecting a topclass performance every time So Neeraj has to be ready to tackle such expectationsrdquo remarked SumariwallaEmotional momentInterestingly it was Sumariwalla who felicitated Chopra on the podium during the victory ceremony in Tokyo and the veteran administrator said that it was a very emotional momentldquoI was actually crying at that time That moment was very special and emotional I was just numb because it was such a different moment It was a fantastic effort by Neeraj We were expecting a medal from him but to get the gold is absolutely fantastic He deserves all the credit With Neerajrsquos gold medal I feel my ambition has been fulfilled because I always wanted to see Indian win an Olympic medal in athletics So Irsquom proud that it has happened during my term as AFI presidentrdquo Sumariwalla saidChoprarsquos accomplishment will give the sport of athletics a massive boost across the country felt Sumariwalla ldquoWhen any country wins an Olympic medal in athletics I believe it has proved itself as a sporting power Now all parents will want their children to become like Neeraj Irsquom sure many young kids will be attractedto athleticsrdquo Sumariwalla signed offAFI to celebrate August 7 as National Javelin DayThe day Neeraj Chopra scripted history by winning gold medal at Tokyo Olympics August 7 will be celebrated as National Javelin Day by the Athletics Federation of India AFI Chopra became only the second Indian to win an individual Olympic gold last Saturday when he clinched the yellow metal in javelin throw with a best effort of 8758mAlso Read Former New Zealand cricketer Chris Cairns on life support Report