Javelin thrower believes in Olympic start: Paris not the end

Olympic javelin champion Thomas Röhler expects to compete at the 2024 Olympics in Paris after many injury setbacks. "As far as the overall level of the opposition is concerned: no extraordinary things have happened this year. So if I'm doing well personally, the chance is very, very high. I have the reins in my own hands," the 31-year-old told Deutsche Presse-Agentur on the sidelines of the German Football League (DFL) Sustainability Forum in Berlin on Wednesday. The track and field athlete hopes for a successful winter. "Then it will be quite possible with the Olympics," Röhler continued.

The five-time German champion from LC Jena had won gold in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. Subsequently, plagued the Thuringian again and again back problems. "I am pain-free. I'm doing well. I am happy that I could compete again this year. Even if perhaps not at the level at which I would like it. But I did a lot of homework and did a high training volume," Röhler reported. At the Istaf last in Berlin he had become with 71.99 meters only ninth and last.

His way back to the world top approaches the javelin thrower "as a long-term project". "Paris is not the end of my plan. Sometimes the impression arose that I only plan until Paris 2024. But I'm doing far too well to only look until the Olympics," Röhler said.