Paris Olympics 2024: Why is DP Manu not included in Indian athletics team despite securing a World Ranking quota?
DP Manu, the Indian javelin thrower, has not been included in the Indian athletics team after being provisionally suspended by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) for testing positive for an anabolic steroid.
Notably, Neeraj Chopra, Kishore Jena and DP Manu are three javelin throwers expected to be a part of the Paris Olympics 2024 squad. Though the first two made it to the mega event, the latter failed to make the cut despite securing a World Ranking quota.
On Thursday, July 4, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) announced the 28-member athletics squad and one of the major players missing from the squad is DP Manu.
Most recently, a source confirmed to PTI that Manu’s positive dope test came during the Indian Grand Prix event in April 2024. Importantly, earlier, Manu was asked not to compete in any competitions by the AFI on NADA’s instructions.
Manu, hailing from Hassan, was on the initial entry list for the National Inter-State Championships in Panchkula, Haryana. However, his name was dropped from the updated list later.
The 24-year-old Manu, who won a silver medal at the 2023 Asian Championships, was expected to confirm his Paris 2024 quota via World Rankings. However, with the squad already announced, his chances of making it to Paris are over.
AFI president Adille Sumariwalla also confirmed that NADA has asked the federation to stop Manu from competitions, according to PTI. However, he didn’t comment on whether the athlete committed the dope offense.
DP Manu had an exceptional 2024 season
Manu secured the second spot behind the reigning Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra with a throw of 82.06m in the Federation Cup from May 15 to 19 in Bhubaneswar. Later, he won the gold medal in the Taiwan Athletics Open in Taipei City on June 1 with a throw of 81.58m.
Notably, Neeraj Chopra and Kishore Jena have already secured automatic qualification for the Paris Olympics 2024 after breaching the entry standard of 85.50m. It’s worth noting that a country can have a maximum of three athletes in an Olympic track and field event.
The athletics competitions will be held at Stade de France from August 1 to 11.
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