Saarbrucken, Germany Olympic and world champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra clarified on Wednesday that Sunday's Paris Diamond League was never part of his competition schedule this year.
The statement came after a media report indicated that Chopra withdrew from the event due to the adductor problem that has been troubling him for the past few months.
The 26-year-old used the 'X' to say it wasn't a withdrawal when he hadn't even entered his name.
"Hello everyone. Just to clarify: the #ParisDL was not part of my competition calendar this season, so I have not 'retired' from it. I am concentrating on preparing for the Olympic Games.
"Thank you for your understanding and support, and we wish all the athletes competing the best! #RoadToOlympics," Chopra posted.
The Athletics Federation of India exempted him from last week's National Inter-State Championships, which was a mandatory event for all Indian athletes.
The AFI said it was given the relaxation due to the short time between the national event and the Diamond League on July 7.
"We have made it very clear that all athletes will compete in India in the interstate championships," said AFI president Adille Sumariwalla.
"But the Paris Diamond League clashes with the Interstate Championship and we believe that the Paris Diamond League will be very important for him (Neeraj) before the Olympics, so he is the only one who has received special permission to participate in the Federation Cup," he added.
However, Chopra had indicated last month that his schedule will be decided based on the condition of his body.
"We talked about him playing in the National Inter-State Championship (June 27-30) and it would be held in Panchkula in Haryana, but it was very close to the Paris Olympics," Chopra had said.
"Since I was playing in Doha, which is close to India. Also, there is a Diamond League in Paris (on July 7) between the National Interstate and the Olympic Games. So we decided to compete here (the Federation Cup)," Chopra had said.
"The schedule of future competitions will be decided later depending on the situation and my body. Otherwise, from there I will go to Paris (after competing in Turku)."
Chopra, who scripted history by becoming the first Indian to win an athletics medal at the Tokyo Olympics, had won gold at the Paavo Nurmi Games last month.
After this, he spoke about his adductor problem that affected his season and said that he will consult "different doctors" after the Paris Olympics.
The statement came after a media report indicated that Chopra withdrew from the event due to the adductor problem that has been troubling him for the past few months.
The 26-year-old used the 'X' to say it wasn't a withdrawal when he hadn't even entered his name.
"Hello everyone. Just to clarify: the #ParisDL was not part of my competition calendar this season, so I have not 'retired' from it. I am concentrating on preparing for the Olympic Games.
"Thank you for your understanding and support, and we wish all the athletes competing the best! #RoadToOlympics," Chopra posted.
The Athletics Federation of India exempted him from last week's National Inter-State Championships, which was a mandatory event for all Indian athletes.
The AFI said it was given the relaxation due to the short time between the national event and the Diamond League on July 7.
"We have made it very clear that all athletes will compete in India in the interstate championships," said AFI president Adille Sumariwalla.
"But the Paris Diamond League clashes with the Interstate Championship and we believe that the Paris Diamond League will be very important for him (Neeraj) before the Olympics, so he is the only one who has received special permission to participate in the Federation Cup," he added.
However, Chopra had indicated last month that his schedule will be decided based on the condition of his body.
"We talked about him playing in the National Inter-State Championship (June 27-30) and it would be held in Panchkula in Haryana, but it was very close to the Paris Olympics," Chopra had said.
"Since I was playing in Doha, which is close to India. Also, there is a Diamond League in Paris (on July 7) between the National Interstate and the Olympic Games. So we decided to compete here (the Federation Cup)," Chopra had said.
"The schedule of future competitions will be decided later depending on the situation and my body. Otherwise, from there I will go to Paris (after competing in Turku)."
Chopra, who scripted history by becoming the first Indian to win an athletics medal at the Tokyo Olympics, had won gold at the Paavo Nurmi Games last month.
After this, he spoke about his adductor problem that affected his season and said that he will consult "different doctors" after the Paris Olympics.
