Explained: What makes Neeraj Chopra Classic a World Athletics Gold-tier event

The Neeraj Chopra Classic, named after India’s Olympic and World Champion javelin thrower, has secured a prestigious spot as a Gold-level event on the World Athletics Continental Tour.

This distinction positions the meet as a top-tier global one-day competition, just below the Diamond League, and represents a landmark achievement for Indian athletics.

To truly understand the significance of this achievement, it is essential to explore how World Athletics, the global governing body for track and field, categorizes international events.

This classification influences everything from world ranking points to Olympic qualification, sponsorship appeal, and athlete participation.

World Athletics event hierarchy

World Athletics organizes competitions in a tiered system based on competitiveness, global reach, and organizational standards. These tiers determine the ranking points athletes receive and thereby directly impact their chances of qualifying for major global championships like the Olympics or World Championships.

At the top of the hierarchy are the OW category events, which include the Olympic Games and World Athletics Championships. These are the highest-rated events, offering up to 375 placing points for winners, the most any athlete can earn in a single competition.

Just below this is the DF category, which refers to the Diamond League Final, the grand culmination of the season-long Diamond League series. Athletes qualify for the Final based on performance across various Diamond League meets, and the winner here receives 240 placing points.

Next comes the GW category, which includes regular Diamond League series events, World Indoor Championships, and other globally recognized competitions. These events offer up to 200 placing points and attract the best talent across all continents.

Following GW is the GL category, which includes Area (continental) Senior Championships such as the Asian Championships, and European Championships, and major Gold Label Marathons like Berlin and Tokyo. These competitions hold strategic importance for regions and offer 170 points to winners.

Finally, we reach the broad base of the global structure: the Continental Tour, which is subdivided into several levels Gold (A), Silver (B), Bronze (C), and Challenger or Developmental Events (D to F).

These events vary in quality, from world-class Gold meets to grassroots-level competitions used for athlete development. The top Continental Tour events like the Neeraj Chopra Classic fall under the Gold (A) category, offering the highest rewards outside the Diamond League.

Why Neeraj Chopra Classic is a Gold-tier Meet

The Neeraj Chopra Classic meets all the benchmarks required for a Continental Tour Gold event. It attracts top-tier international athletes, provides substantial World Athletics ranking points, maintains technical standards, and offers a platform for Olympic qualification.

In terms of athlete participation, the 2025 edition featured an elite lineup including Neeraj Chopra himself, 2016 Olympic champion Thomas Rohler of Germany, 2015 World Champion Julius Yego of Kenya, and 2023 Pan American Games gold medallist Curtis Thompson of the USA.

World Athletics requires Gold-level meets to include a maximum number of globally ranked athletes per event - a standard the Neeraj Chopra Classic comfortably exceeded.

The event awards 140 placing points to winners, making it an ideal competition for athletes aiming to qualify for the World Championships or to improve their global seeding.

For Indian and Asian athletes, the ability to earn these points without traveling to Europe or North America is a major advantage.

Moreover, the Neeraj Chopra Classic is being held at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru, a venue that meets World Athletics-certified technical standards.

From Fully Automatic Timing (FAT) and wind measurement systems to advanced field event equipment and doping control, the event adheres strictly to the protocols expected of a global Gold-level meet.

Broadcast, prize money, and commercial appeal

Beyond athlete performance, the Gold-level designation also depends on media reach, sponsorship, and spectator engagement.

The Neeraj Chopra Classic ticks all these boxes. The 2025 edition will be broadcast live across sports channels in India and streamed globally, drawing millions of viewers.

Strategic importance in Asia

The Neeraj Chopra Classic plays a pivotal role in World Athletics' goal of globalizing elite competition.

Most Diamond League and GW-level meets are held in Europe or North America. Having a Gold-level meet in India, the world’s most populous nation fills a major geographical gap and provides regional athletes with top-tier exposure.

It also positions India as a serious contender to host future Diamond League meets, World Relays, or even a World Championships. This is not just about one event. It is about creating long-term sporting infrastructure and culture in a growing market.

Conclusion: India’s golden gateway to the world

The Neeraj Chopra Classic, now a recognized Continental Tour Gold event, stands as a powerful symbol of India’s growing footprint in global athletics.

It is a meet that not only honors the legacy of its celebrated champion but also builds a stage for future stars, both Indian and international, to shine.

By securing a spot in World Athletics’ prestigious event framework, the Neeraj Chopra Classic surpasses mere competition, serving as a launchpad for Olympic aspirations, a tribute to athletic brilliance, and a bold declaration: India is primed for the global stage.