It's been decided to let him stay there and continue with his training: Neeraj Chopra to extend US stay
Xtra Time Web Desk: Neeraj Chopra has extended his US stay by four and a half months untill World Athletics Championships in Oregon scheduled from July 15 to 24, will not return to Indian anytime soon.
There's a possibility that the Tokyo Olympics gold medallist may return only after the Birmingham Commonwealth Games (CWG), which is scheduled to start four days after the Worlds, on July 28.
Neeraj has currently been training at the Chula Vista elite athlete training centre in the US since December 5 last year and was scheduled to arrive home after March 4, following the completion of his 90-day off-season camp.
Neeraj Chopra has placed his request for extension with the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) and the same was forwarded to the Sports Authority of India (SAI), which cleared the proposal.
"It made no sense for Neeraj to return home, given the packed international calendar which will see him competing at the Worlds, Birmingham CWG and Hangzhou Asian Games (September 10 to 25)," a source in the know of the development informed.
"Many world-class athletes prefer to train in Chula Vista for big-ticket events like the Worlds. They make their bookings months in advance to stay at its residential facility. It would have been difficult for Neeraj and his support staff to get a booking at the facility closer to the Worlds. So, it's been decided to let him stay there and continue with his training. This will keep him fresh not only for the Worlds but for the CWG and Asiad as well. Also, one is never sure about this Covid-19, like when the new wave strikes the globe and the subsequent restrictions will follow," the source added.
The source further added, "The trip will help them acclimatise with conditions in the US ahead of the Worlds."
