Paris. The javelin throw final at the Paris Olympics 2024 was very exciting. Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem won the gold medal of this event by setting a new Olympic record, while Neeraj Chopra had to be content with the silver medal on Thursday night with his best throw of the season. Neeraj Chopra, who was a strong contender for gold in the final with a brilliant effort of 89.34 meters in qualifying, did not get luck. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated and wished Neeraj for this special achievement and raising the pride of the country. PM Modi wrote on the social media platform X, “Neeraj Chopra is a living example of excellence. He has shown his talent time and again. India is happy that he has once again been successful in the Olympics. Congratulations to him on winning the silver medal. He will continue to inspire countless upcoming athletes to fulfill their dreams and make our country proud.” In the medal bout, Neeraj threw the javelin 89.45m but it did not prove enough for the reigning world champion and Diamond League Final winner as Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem overtook him to win the gold medal by setting a new Olympic record. Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem set a new Olympic record with a throw of 92.97m. The huge throw of 92.97m put Nadeem on top spot and he held on to that position with throws of 88, 72, 79.40m and 84.87m and then finished the competition with a throw of 91.79m. This was the second time someone crossed the 90m mark twice at the Olympics. He has become Pakistan’s first gold medallist in individual events at the Olympics. Grenada’s Anderson Peters won the bronze medal by throwing the javelin 88.54m. Chopra started the final with a foul in his first attempt, Nadeem also fouled his first throw, while Trinidad’s Keshorn Walcott took the lead with a throw of 86.16m. Anderson Peters finished second with 84.70m.
Neeraj, who was considered the strongest contender for the medal, failed in his first attempt. Under pressure, Neeraj threw 89.45 meters javelin (season best) in his second attempt. After this, the next 4 attempts of the Indian athlete were also fouls. The javelin throw event at the Paris Olympics was so challenging that Julian Weber of Germany, who won the silver medal in Tokyo, had to be content with the sixth place. The expectations from Neeraj were so high that winning the silver medal was disappointing, but Neeraj could not do anything on Thursday as Nadeem defeated everyone. With the silver medal, Neeraj Chopra created history for India, becoming the second male Indian and third player overall to win two consecutive medals at the Olympics. Before him, wrestler Sushil Kumar won bronze and silver medals in the 2008 and 2012 Games. PV Sindhu is the second Indian to win two consecutive medals. She won silver medals in 2016 and 2020. Neeraj’s silver medal was India’s fifth medal in Paris, including one silver and four bronze medals. Indian players have been struggling with injuries for the last few years and it seems that its impact is still there.
What did Neeraj Chopra get?
Neeraj Chopra has not received any prize money from the Olympics or World Athletics for winning the silver medal. In this Olympics, World Athletics has announced prize money only for the gold medalist. In the Olympics to be held in Los Angeles in 2028, prize money will also be given to the silver and bronze medalists of athletics. This time, apart from athletics, winners in any other event will also get prize money. has not received any prize money.
Neeraj had always defeated Nadeem in the previous ten matches. Neeraj’s pain has come out after losing the gold. Neeraj said that today was not his day. He also made a big prediction. He said that even though I could not get the national anthem played in Paris, it will definitely happen somewhere else. Let us tell you that the national anthem of the country whose player wins the gold is played.
“Whatever shortcomings there are, we will rectify them”
After winning the silver medal, 26-year-old Neeraj said, “Whenever we win medals for the country, it is a matter of joy. Now is the time to improve the game. We will sit, discuss and improve. We will correct the shortcomings. If we look at the overall performance, India’s performance has been good. Do not compare gold, bronze or silver with Tokyo. It is not necessary that our medals increase every time. But this is a sign for the coming times that our medals will increase further.” When Neeraj was asked about the tough competition in the Paris final compared to Tokyo, he said, “The competition was very good. Every athlete has his day. Today was Arshad’s day. But if we talk about Tokyo, Budapest or Asian Games, it was our day.”
‘I admit that…’
He further said, “I gave my best but there are some things that need to be paid attention to and worked upon. I will have to heal my injury a little and work in that direction. I will have to see that the focus that is on the injury during the game should shift to the performance. The throw is there and it is good. It will come out once everyone is fit and mentally prepared. Everyone expected that our national anthem should be played. We have lived up to that expectation. But I accept that today was probably not my day. I have always been good but today I could not get the national anthem played. Even though the national anthem was not played in Paris, I will get another chance in the future and it will happen somewhere else.”