Silver for 'Golden Boy' Neeraj; Pakistan's Nadeem smashes Olympic record for gold
Paris, August 8
Gold eluded defending champion Neeraj Chopra as he signed off with a silver in the Olympics men's javelin throw event, while Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem bossed the field with a new Games record of 92.97m here on Thursday.
The 26-year-old Chopra, who has never lost to Nadeem in their earlier 10 meetings, took the silver with his second round throw of 89.45m. He had won gold in Tokyo with a throw of 87.58m three years ago.
Neeraj Chopra is excellence personified! Time and again he’s shown his brilliance. India is elated that he comes back with yet another Olympic success. Congratulations to him on winning the Silver. He will continue to motivate countless upcoming athletes to pursue their dreams… pic.twitter.com/XIjfeDDSeb
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 8, 2024
The season's best effort was the Indian's only legitimate throw of the evening.
Nadeem's monster effort -- sixth longest in history -- also came in his second attempt which was like a bolt from the blue that stunned the Stade de France.
नीरज चोपड़ा ने पेरिस ओलंपिक के 'मेन्स जेवलिन थ्रो इवेंट' में सिल्वर मेडल जीता है. डिफेंडिंग चैंपियन नीरज की इस उपलब्धि पर हर देशवासी को फ़क्र है.
नीरज ने अपने प्रदर्शन से देश का नाम दुनिया में ऊंचा किया है. कांग्रेस परिवार की ओर से नीरज को भविष्य के लिए शुभकामनाएं.
जय हो 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/M3aVaPO1IV
— Congress (@INCIndia) August 8, 2024
The earlier Olympic record stood at 90.57m in the name of Andreas Thorkildsen of Norway, set during the 2008 Beijing Games.
Heartiest congratulations to Neeraj Chopra on winning silver medal in Paris Olympics and scripting history. He is the first Indian athlete to win a gold and a silver medal in two successive Olympic Games. India is proud of him. His feat will inspire generations to come. India…
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 8, 2024
Nadeem also signed off in style with a closing throw of 91.79m.
