Indian track-and-field athletes bound for the World Championship, including defending javelin throw gold medallist Neeraj Chopra, will primarily train in Europe and the USA before the September event. The sports ministry’s Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) has approved extensive exposure trips to boost their medal chances. During the 157th MOC meeting, athletics received the most support, with training and competition proposals worth Rs 86 lakh approved. Most of this amount is allocated to those who have qualified for the Tokyo event from September 13 to 21. Chopra, India’s top medal hope and the sole athlete with two world championship medals, will train in Prague and Nymburk in the Czech Republic for 57 days. Accompanied by his physio Ishan Marwah, he will depart tonight and remain in Europe until September 5, at a total cost of Rs 19 lakh. Before his gold in 2023, the 27-year-old won silver in the 2022 edition, making him the first Indian after Anju Bobby George (long jump bronze in 2003) to reach the podium in this prestigious competition. What About Other Athletes Apart From Neeraj Chopra? Steeplechasers Avinash Sable, Parul Chaudhary, and long-distance runner Gulveer Singh will train in Colorado Springs, Los Angeles from July 15 to September 3. The government has approved Rs 41.29 lakh for their training expenses. All three athletes are national record holders and excelled in the Asian Championships in May. Sable won gold, while Chaudhary secured silver medals in women’s steeplechase and 5000m races. Gulveer clinched gold medals in men’s 10,000m and 5,000m events, setting a championship record in the latter. Other proposals also approved include Rs 10.32 lakh for middle-distance runner Ajay Kumar Saroj to train with elite athletes at the same venue. Saroj, who won a silver medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023, had been hindered by an ankle injury for most of last year. Long jumper Murali Sreeshankar will compete in Europe and Central Asia (Portugal, Spain, and Kazakhstan) from July 19 to August 14, with government approval of Rs 5.58 lakh. Sreeshankar was affected by a knee injury last year, preventing him from competing in the Paris Olympics despite qualifying. Women’s long jump prospects Ancy Sojan and Shaili Singh, who won a bronze medal in the Asian Championships, will participate in events in London, Berlin, and Lausanne at a cost of Rs 9.21 lakh. From July 22 to 26, 11 para-shuttlers will compete at the British and Irish Para-Badminton Championship in Cardiff, crucial for gathering ranking points needed to qualify for the World Para-Badminton Championships early next year. Proven performers like Nitish Kumar, Manoj Sarkar, and Krishna Nagar will be part of the 11-strong squad, accompanied by six support staff. The MOC has approved a budget of Rs 44.26 lakh for the group. The online meeting on Thursday was attended by Sports Secretary and Director General, Sports Authority of India (SAI) Hari Ranjan Rao, Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) CEO N S Johal, Target Asian Games Group (TAGG) head Col. Rakesh Yadav, and other senior members including national badminton coach Pullela Gopichand, Athletics Federation of India spokesperson Adille Sumariwalla, and Indian Olympic Association vice president Gagan Narang among others. (With inputs from PTI)