New Delhi, Dec 15: India is set to host its first World Athletics Continental Tour event — a bronze level global competition — in Bhubaneswar on August 10 next year, as announced by the national federation on Sunday.
The declaration was made by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) during the release of the competition calendar for 2025.
The Continental Tour is a yearly series of track and field events sanctioned by World Athletics, acting as the second tier of international one-day meetings, beneath the renowned Diamond League.
The bronze level meet is subordinate to the gold and silver tiers. This event marks India’s first global athletics competition since the international permit meets conducted in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
India previously hosted the World Half Marathon Championships in 2004 in New Delhi.
“This will be the first major global athletics event since the permit meets of the 80s and 90s, as well as the World Half Marathon in 2004. This is a significant achievement and will foster the growth of athletics in the country,” stated an AFI official.
He also mentioned that India is expected to host a major global javelin competition next year.
“We are working towards securing a prestigious global javelin event and remain optimistic about it,” he added.
Thanks to the successes of Olympic gold and silver medallist Neeraj Chopra, India is emerging as a formidable presence in the javelin scene globally. Currently, the nation boasts more than six javelin throwers capable of throwing over 80m. (PTI)
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