Neeraj Chopra hoisted the Indian flag at the Tokyo Olympics four years ago, but there were no spectators in the stands to cheer him on. The site was deserted due to the Covid-induced regulations. The pinnacle of Indian sports on the world scene was only seen up close by a select few Indian athletes, media members, and support staff.

However, on that exhilarating evening in Tokyo, Chopra humbly acknowledged their presence and basked in the atmosphere as he did a victory lap around the National Stadium. Although it was a moment of victory, the sight of a tricolour-covered Chopra rejoicing in an empty stadium made one want him to have another chance to compete in the Olympics in front of an audience.

With supporters from India traveling to Paris to see Chopra compete, he took home silver at the Olympics there. Chopra has established himself as a major figure in the sport by winning the world championship, the Diamond League title, and several top-tier events worldwide in the past four years. The Indian diaspora has always been there to support him in full force, no matter where he has traveled.

With each amazing performance, Chopra's stature has increased, significantly increasing his fan base in India.

During these four years, though, Chopra had only participated in one at-home event: a national tournament where his attendance went largely unnoticed since it was confirmed so late.

His charisma was increasingly seen as being underutilized. With admirers cheering him on from close proximity, one wanted to see him compete in a top international tournament in India. The Neeraj Chopra Classic, which took place on Saturday at a crowded Sree Kanteerava Stadium, saw that wish come true. India's sponsors and corporations will hopefully recognize the potential of sports outside of cricket.

It was wonderful to see Chopra being mobbed by onlookers and showered with affection. He had been in the city for a week promoting the event and carrying out fan engagement activities. He was greeted warmly and asked for selfies and autographs wherever he went. His humility and capacity to connect with others are exceptional.

The reaction took even Chopra by surprise, and he pledged to help bring more foreign events to India. He understands how crucial it is to give individuals the chance to experience world-class athletic performances. In addition, he urged them to attend and support local events.

The present state of the environment is evident to you. It's really inspiring for athletes when supporters come to stadiums and cheer for them. Today, we discussed the atmosphere. Our players Rohit and Sachin Yadav were overjoyed to see the crowd. Our athletes require this kind of support. They put in a lot of effort. Chopra stated that children will be encouraged to participate in the activity when you bring them along.

“We always wanted folks to come for our home track and field tournaments. In order to attract participants to national contests, AFI has made efforts. Therefore, I would like to urge people to "please go and see domestic meetings." Athletics are packed with activity. You'll encounter throwers, jumpers, and sprinters. People may initially experience numerous events occurring simultaneously. Some athletes are sprinting, some are jumping, and others are throwing. However, once you begin to learn about and follow the sport, it's incredibly exciting," Chopra said.

In front of thousands of onlookers, even Chopra, who typically has a good handle on his emotions, experienced the adrenaline surge. He gave it a little too much on the first pitch, pushed by the force of the cheering audience, before controlling himself with the second.

The first toss was made in a frenzy since the stadium was so full of excitement. After that, he spoke with the coach and made a few technological adjustments. Even though I wasn't content with my runway, I'm glad that I can execute in such high-pressure circumstances. I've been preoccupied with arranging things over the past few days. Despite my team being there to assist, I wanted all of the international athletes to have a positive experience. Somewhere, the sensation existed that I also needed to perform well in an event that bears my name and in front of my hometown audience, even if I couldn't train much. It's comforting that everything went well.

"It's a big deal for Indian athletes to compete in this environment with Olympic and world champions. The goal was to give them some excellent competition and let Indian fans watch them live.

Planning must support the beginning. The AFI is already preparing to bid for the World Championships and World Relays, according to Adille Sumariwalla, its spokesperson and vice president of World Athletics. "We hosted representatives from World Athletics. With such amazing support from people, it was so well planned. In 2029 and 2031, we will be competing for the world titles. The junior world Championships 2028 is another potential bid that AFI is interested in.

"We will submit bids for both and see which one we can secure as the venue. In addition, we will submit bids for the world relays and other competitions.

The backing required for Indian track and field to reach the general public may come from Neeraj's fame.

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