Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has announced that the National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships, scheduled for June 27 to 30 in Panchkula, is obligatory for all athletes, except for a few, including Neeraj Chopra, the World and Olympic champion, who will be competing in Europe ahead of the Paris Olympics.
This event serves as the final domestic competition for athletes to secure qualification for the Paris Olympics. Chief coach Radhakrishnan Nair emphasized the importance of participation, stating, “It is mandatory to participate in Panchkula to prove themselves.”
While exceptions may be made for elite athletes like Chopra, the AFI remains firm on the requirement for most participants.
Race walking not in National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships
Race walking has been excluded from the inter-state meet due to the anticipated hot and humid conditions in Panchkula during that period. Race walkers who qualified for the Paris Olympics are seeking additional recovery time following the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships held in Antalya on April 21.
Radhakrishnan explained that plans are underway for an event in Slovakia in June, which may serve as an alternative selection platform for race walkers.
“There is an event in Slovakia in June. It is in the planning stage and is not approved yet that walkers will compete in that and we will have selection from that,” said Radhakrishnan.
Despite five male race walkers meeting Olympic qualification standards, only three will be chosen for the Paris Olympics.
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