Neeraj Chopra's wild card entry to Rio rejected

India's hopes of a surprise medal ended today after U-20 sensation Neeraj Chopra's last-minute bid for a wild-card entry was rejected as it was few days post the qualifying date. India will now look to discus thrower Vikas Gowda for the elusive medal with the athlete recovering well from his injury.

"The IAAF has communicated that they won't entertain our request as it would lead to similar demands from other countries. We had taken up the matter at the highest level and also with the LOC but the technical delegate and the event organiser have both said no to our requests," AFI secretary CK Valson told ToI.

However, he quelled fears about discus thrower Vikas Gowda's non-participation at the Games saying that the athlete has been training well in the build-up to the event.

"About 10 days back we had received a video of Vikas training at the John Godina World Throws Centre in Phoenix for the Games," he said.

Vikas, who had qualified for Rio last April, had undergone procedures for his thigh injury and concerns were raised about his fitness in time for the Games. But the athlete was confident saying, "I think I'm moving in the right direction," as quoted by the 'Frederick News Post'.

Credits:sportscafe.in