‘Game is Not Over Yet…’: Neeraj Chopra Responds to Missing Out on Gold Medal at Paris Olympics 2024

In the men's javelin throw, defending champion Neeraj Chopra made history by becoming the first Indian track and field athlete to win two consecutive Olympic medals with a silver. However, Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem stole the show by setting a new Olympic record for his nation's first individual gold at the championship event. In his second effort, Nadeem threw an incredible 92.97 meters, setting a standard too high for the other competitors, including Chopra, who appeared to be under strain and only made one passable throw.

Also Read:Why is India Below Pakistan in 2024 Paris Olympics Medal Tally Despite More Podium Finishes?

Neeraj Chopra Comments on His Gold Medal Disappointment at the 2024 Paris Olympics

Having taken home a silver medal from the Paris Olympics 2024, Neeraj Chopra spoke for the first time highlighting his event. Though his injury limited him, he was totally excited during the event. After his one throw put his name on the silver medal, Chopra talked to the broadcasters and other TV channels. Recognising that this wasn't his finest moment and the best is yet to come, he is happy with the fact that he won a medal for India at the Olympics, India's hero marked the first silver for his country in Paris, as India had previously won 4 bronze medals. Neeraj Chopra stated: 

"Lekin abhi khel nahi khatam hua, abhi bahot kuch baaki hai." 

"I have a medal and tricolour in my hand. I am really happy. There is a lot of work that is left to be done. I have been battling with injury since quite some time and I have not been able to play a lot of competitions as I would have liked to. I am not able to work on my mistakes. If work will be done to improve the mistakes then it would be great,"

“It was because of an injury (groin strain). I wanted to express myself and throw. It was not happening. It was the Olympic stage.

“But, the throw was still good. I managed only one legal throw. All others were foul.”

“When Arshad threw 92.97m, I believed in my mind that I would be able to do it (90m) today. It didn’t happen today. Let’s see when it will happen.

“But the competition was very intense and exciting. Winning a medal for my country makes me happy,”

“But the game has not ended yet, a lot is left right now. Arshad made a good throw, whoever did the hard work and made the throw, should definitely commend them. The competition was a tough one,”

The silver-winning 89.45m in the second round. It was the season's best effort from the Indian, topping his qualification throw of 89.34m, but nowhere close to being enough for gold. Nonetheless, Chopra became only the third Indian and the first in track and field to win back-to-back individual Olympic medals. Only wrestler Sushil Kumar (2008 and 2012) and shuttler PV Sindhu (2016 and 2021) have won back-to-back Olympic medals. The earlier Olympic record stood at 90.57m in the name of Andreas Thorkildsen of Norway, set during the 2008 Beijing Games. Thorkildsen was watching the proceedings from the stands, along with three-time Olympic champion and world record (98.48m) holder Jan Zelezny of Czech Republic. Grenada's Anderson Peters grabbed the last podium place with an effort of 88.54m while Czech Republic's Yakub Vadlejch finished fourth (88.50m) and was followed by Kenya's Julius Yego (SB 87.72). As many as seven athletes went beyond the 86m mark as the competitive field saw three season's best and an Olympic record.

Keshorn Walcot (86.16) from Trinidad and Tobago also celebrated his season's best show to finish seventh in the 12-man field. Before tonight, Chopra had never lost to Nadeem in their 10 earlier meetings. Nadeem's monster throw -- sixth longest in history -- also came in his second attempt which was like a bolt from the blue that stunned the Stade de France. With this performance, the 27-year-old also extracted revenge of his loss to Chopra in the 2023 Budapest World Championships. It was not the first 90m effort from Nadeem, having thrown 90.18m to win gold in the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games. He is the second Asian to have thrown beyond 90m, the other being Chao-Tsun Cheng (91.36m in 2017) of Chinese Taipei.

Neeraj Chopra's List of Achievements

• South Asian Games- Gold Medal
• Asian Championship- Gold Medal
• CWG 2018- Gold Medal
• Asian Games 2018- Gold Medal
• Tokyo Olympics- Gold Medal
• Diamond League- Gold Medal
• World Championships 2022- Silver Medal
• World Championships 2023- Gold Medal
• Diamond League- Silver Medal
• Asian Games 2022- Gold Medal
• Paris Olympics 2024- Silver Medal

(With inputs from PTI)