Neeraj Chopra has received approval for a 47-day training camp in Switzerland as the Indian star begins preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games and Asian Games later this year. The Mission Olympic Cell (MOC), during its 173rd meeting on Wednesday, cleared the proposal for the two-time Olympic medallist while also approving foreign training exposure for shooter Manu Bhaker ahead of a crucial multi-sport season.
Neeraj, who is currently rehabilitating from a back injury in Turkiye, will train at the Olympic Training Centre in Bienne, Switzerland from May 25 to July 10 under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS).
The upcoming months are especially important for the Indian javelin star considering the packed calendar ahead.
The Commonwealth Games will be held in Glasgow from July 23 to August 2, while the Asian Games are scheduled in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan from September 19 to October 4.
And honestly, both tournaments carry strong memories for Neeraj already.
The 28-year-old won gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and has also dominated the Asian Games with back-to-back gold medals in 2018 and 2022. After a difficult outing at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, where he finished eighth, this training block now becomes a major part of his attempt to return to peak rhythm before the two biggest events of the season.
Neeraj will travel with his long-time physiotherapist Ishaan Marwaha and coach Jai Choudhary during the camp. The approved proposal includes airfare, accommodation, food, medical insurance, visa expenses, extra baggage allowance for javelin equipment and treatment facilities, along with a daily out-of-pocket allowance.
NEERAJ CHOPRA BEGINS ROAD TO COMMONWEALTHS, ASIAN GAMES
For Neeraj, this Switzerland camp is less about experimentation and more about rebuilding consistency after injury interruptions over the past year.
The Indian star has remained one of the biggest names in global athletics over the last few seasons, but fitness issues, particularly involving his back, have repeatedly disrupted momentum at key moments.
That made his eighth-place finish at the 2025 World Championships feel unusually underwhelming compared to the standards he has set for himself.
Now, with both the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games approaching quickly, the focus shifts towards regaining rhythm physically and technically before the international season intensifies.
Training in Bienne also gives Neeraj access to one of Europe’s top Olympic preparation facilities, something Indian athletes have increasingly prioritised over the last Olympic cycle.
The timing of the camp is equally important because the Commonwealth Games begin barely two weeks after Neeraj’s Switzerland block ends, leaving very little room for additional adjustments before competition starts.
Given his track record though, Neeraj will once again enter both events as one of India’s biggest medal hopes.
MANU BHAKER, GULVEER SINGH ALSO GET FOREIGN TRAINING APPROVAL
The Mission Olympic Cell also approved a foreign training proposal for double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker, who will travel to Lucca, Italy from May 13 to 22 alongside coach Jaspal Rana and physiotherapist Snehil Khurana.
The 24-year-old shooter is expected to compete in both the women’s 10m air pistol and 25m pistol events at the 2026 Asian Games, where she remains one of India’s strongest medal contenders after her breakthrough performances in Paris.
The approved proposal covers travel, accommodation and range expenses for the three-member team.
Meanwhile, long-distance runner Gulveer Singh also received clearance for a 34-day training and competition exposure trip to the United States from May 15 to June 17.
The Asian Games bronze medallist and Asian Championships gold winner will compete in elite races in Los Angeles and Nashville during the trip as India continues pushing more athletes towards overseas training environments before major international events.
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