Neeraj Chopra reacts to mother’s remarks on calling Arshad ‘his son’ after Paris Olympics heroics

Neeraj Chopra, India’s silver medallist in Javelin Throw at the Paris Olympics 2024, reacted to his mother’s remarks (on the gold medal winner Arshad Nadeem from Pakistan) that took the internet by storm. Arshad won his maiden Olympic gold, registering a distance of 92.97m, while Neeraj stood second, recording his season-best throw of 89.45m. 

Reacting to his mother’s remarks, Neeraj said she stays away from social media and always speaks what she feels is right.

ALSO READ: Paris Olympics 2024: India's Aman Sehrawat bags bronze medal in men's 57kg wrestling

"She lives in a village, a background where she is not influenced by news on social media and television about the relations between India and Pakistan. She has the feeling of a mother. She speaks simply and speaks her heart," Neeraj said during a chat with India Today in Paris.

"She speaks from the heart of a mother. Some people might have found it strange, some people might have liked it," he added.

Right after Neeraj won his second Olympic medal (a silver this time) in only his second Olympics, the Indian media reached out to her for her comments, to which she expressed gratitude and happiness over her son winning an Olympic medal and also made headlines for calling Pakistan’s Arshad her son, winning billion hearts worldwide.

“We are happy with the silver. The one who got the gold (Arshad Nadeem) is also my child," Saroj Devi, Neeraj Chopra’s mother, said.

Meanwhile, when approached, Arshad’s mother expressed similar emotions towards Neeraj, saying,

"He (Neeraj) is also like my son. He is Nadeem's friend and also his brother. Wins and losses are part of the sport. May god bless him, and may he win medals. They are like brothers; I've prayed for Neeraj too.”

Arshad wins gold, Neeraj walks away with pride

Reigning and defending Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra was the favourite for the top prize once again, and his throw of 89.34m in the qualification round was not coincidental. He finished at the top after his first attempt and qualified for the final. 

On D-day, Neeraj began with a fouled throw, and so did Arshad; however, after Arshad’s monumental throw of 92.97m, which eventually won him the gold, Neeraj threw his best (89.45m) in his second attempt.

Although both fouled twice, each in their remaining attempts, Pakistan’s Arshad capped off his exceptional performance with another 90m-plus throw (91.79m) in his final attempt. 

All the winners were awarded their respective medals on Friday (August 9).

(With inputs from agencies)