Neeraj Chopra Supports Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem
Javelineer Neeraj Chopra expressed his disappointment towards online trolls and showed support towards his Pakistani counterpart Arshad Nadeem.
Neeraj Chopra in his very first time throwing at the Tokyo Olympics achieved a distance no other athlete could match -- 87.03m. He made the country proud and secured a [Box 03 gold medal.
In an interview with The Times of India Neeraj had said, “I was searching for my javelin at the start of the final (in Olympics). I was not able to find it. Suddenly, I saw Arshad Nadeem - Pakistani Javelin thrower - was moving around with my javelin. Then I told him, 'Bhai give this javelin to me, it is my javelin! I have to throw it'. He gave it back to me. That's why you must have seen that I took my first throw hurriedly."
Neeraj’s statement went viral and people on social media began saying that the Pakistani Javelin athlete took Neeraj’s javelin on purpose, some said Arshad tampered with the Javelin and there were many other comments of people saying bad things about the Pakistani player.
On Thursday, Neeraj posted a video saying, “Sports teaches us to be together and united. I'm extremely disappointed to see some of the reactions from the public on my recent comments.
A big issue has been made over my remarks in an interview. All the personal javelins are kept in one place, where any thrower can use it, this is the rule. This rule applies in all field events except for Pole Vault. We javelin throwers share a good bond and speak to each other nicely. There was nothing wrong with him (Arshad Nadeem) taking my javelin and preparing for his throw. Before my throw, I asked him for it. I'm sad that a big issue is being made out of my comments. I request everyone not to do this.”
Neeraj also said that, Ever since he returned home with a historic Olympic gold, Neeraj has completely stopped training. He said this is because of all the constant media interviews.
He said, ““The attention is indeed important, but there's a [Box 08 Diamond League at the end of the month. I had planned to participate in it, but my training stopped completely once I returned from the Olympic Games because of the incessant number of functions. I also fell sick. I want to win more gold medals and for that I need to train harder. We can not be happy with just 1 gold medal.”
