Javelin thrower DP Manu will not be competing in Paris 2024 due to a recent development. Previously, he was expected to qualify for the Olympics through the world ranking quota.
The National Anti-Doping Agency has advised javelin thrower DP Manu to abstain from events, since the Olympic hopeful may have been caught in a doping net. This decision was made by the Athletics Federation of India. Manu, 24, who placed second in the 2023 Asian Championships, was almost guaranteed to make it to the Olympics based on the world ranking quota. However, the most recent development means that Manu will not be traveling to Paris. He was on the first round of entries for the National Inter-State Championships, which got underway here on Thursday. However, the new list no longer has his name.
Adille Sumariwalla, president of the AFI, told PTI that NADA has urged the federation to suspend Manu from competition, although he did not confirm whether the athlete had committed a doping offense.
“There could be something like that, but we have no idea what it is. “The NADA called the AFI office yesterday and requested that he (Manu) be barred from competing,” Sumariwalla said.
“Otherwise, there are no details (about the alleged breach). I believe the athlete (DP Manu) is determining what the exact situation is from the NADA.
Manu’s 82.06-meter throw in the Federation Cup, held in Bhubaneswar from May 15–19, placed him second behind Olympic winner Neeraj Chopra. With a throw of 81.58 meters on June 1, he went on to win gold at the Taiwan Athletics Open in Taipei City.
Thirty-two competitors will compete in the men’s javelin throw event, and Manu is on track to qualify for the Olympics in Paris, ranking 15th in the World Athletics Road to Paris list. June 30 is the cutoff date for qualification.
Chopra and Kishore Jena beat the 85.50-meter entry criteria, securing them automatic qualification for the Olympics.
In an Olympic track and field competition, a nation may field up to three individuals.
