Paris Olympics 2024: AFI vice-president Anju Bobby George backs Indian men’s relay team, Avinash Sable and Kishore Jena to pull off a surprise

Anju Bobby George, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) vice-president, feels that besides Neeraj Chopra, the Indian men’s 4x400m relay team, 3000m steeplechaser Avinash Sable, and javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra have enough potential to pull off a surprise at the Paris Olympics 2024.

AFI unveiled a strong 27-member Indian athletics contingent that will compete in 16 medal events at the Paris Olympics 2024. The athletics contingent will be led by the reigning Olympic champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra.

"Everyone knows one name in the athletics nowadays. But the other names, which I would reckon, are Avinash Sable, the 4x400 metres relay team and Kishore Jena (javelin)," said George told Jio Cinema.

The World Championships bronze medallist long jumper Anju Bobby George stated that though she cannot predict medals from the above athletes, they are on the right path, being part of final competitions.

"We cannot predict about the medal. But all these events are finals, which itself proves that the path is right (for the Indian athletes)."

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Anju Bobby George predicts medals from long jumpers and triple jumpers if they touch their PBs

She went on to emphasize that if long jumper Jeswin Aldrin and triple jumpers Abdulla Aboobacker and Praveen Chithravel managed to touch their personal bests, they could end on the podium, bagging medals.

"I had heavy expectations from (Murali) Sreeshankar, but he has unfortunately missed out due to an injury. Yet, our long-jumpers have all the potential, and if they can repeat their best, they will be in the podium or medal bracket,” she added.

Additionally, the former long jumper added that Indian athletes have good enough potential to do well in technical events like the long jump, triple jump, and javelin throw.

"We have talent aplenty, but fail to reach up to the mark. Indians have all the potential in technical events, i.e. long jump, triple jump and javelin, and we are slowly moving towards the edge," she stated.

Notably, Anju Bobby George secured a gold medal at the Asian Games in 2003 and achieved her personal best of 6.83m at the Summer Games in Athens in 2004.