National Javelin Day - 7 August 2024

Tags: Important Days

National Javelin Day is observed annually across India on August 7.

An Overview of the News

• The day commemorates Neeraj Chopra's gold medal win in the javelin throw at the Tokyo Olympics 2020.

• It aims to promote the sport of javelin throw and highlight its importance in athletics.

• The 3rd National Javelin Day will be observed on 7th August 2024.

Background of National Javelin Day 

• The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) declared August 7 as National Javelin Day on August 11, 2021.

• The first National Javelin Day was celebrated on 7th August 2022.

Significance of August 7th in Olympic History

• On August 7, 2021, Neeraj Chopra won the gold medal in the men's javelin throw at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics with a throw of 87.58 meters.

• He became the first Asian athlete to win an Olympic gold medal in javelin throw.

• He is the second Indian athlete to win an Olympic gold medal, following Abhinav Bindra, who secured gold in shooting at the Beijing 2008 Olympics.

About Neeraj Chopra

• Neeraj secures second place at Doha Diamond League 2024

• He won the 2023 Doha Diamond League.

• He clinched a gold medal at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

• He also claimed a gold medal in the men's javelin throw event at the World Athletics Championships 2023 in Budapest, Hungary.

• Neeraj Chopra was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India in March 2022.

Major medals won by Neeraj Chopra :

• 2022 Kuortane Games (Gold Medal)

• 2022 Paavo Nurmi Games (Silver)

• 2021 Tokyo Olympics (Gold Medal)

• 2018 Commonwealth Games (Gold Medal)

• 2017 Asian Athletics Championships (Gold Medal)

• 2016 South Asian Games (Gold Medal) 

Athletics Federation of India (AFI)

• Established: 1946

• Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi

• President: Adille J. Sumariwalla

Paris Olympics 2024 Updates

• On August 6, 2024, Neeraj Chopra qualified for the men's javelin throw final at the Paris Olympics with a throw of 89.34 meters (Group B) at Stade de France.

• Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan also qualified for the javelin final with a throw of 86.59 meters.

• The Paris Olympics 2024 are being held from July 26 to August 11, 2024.