S.Kannan in Paris
This was one rivalry between India and Pakistan played out between two friends in the javelin arena at the Paris Olympics. On Thursday evening, there was a strong breeze, yet Arshad Nadeem, tall and muscular at 6-foot-4, sealed gold with an effort of 92.97 metres, an Olympic record. In sharp contrast, the Indian superstar, Neeraj Chopra, had a tough day, as he could not find rhythm. Yet, when Neeraj ran in and released the javelin in his second attempt, he had touched 89.45m, his season’s best.
More on the rivalry later, but what Neeraj has achieved, winning a silver medal, in his second fling at the Olympic Games, marks him out as very special. When he won gold in Tokyo with an effort of 87.58m on August 7, 2021, it was path-breaking. By winning two medals in successive Olympics, Neeraj has touched Himalayan heights, never ever achieved before by an Indian in the track and field arena. Till the time Neeraj won gold three years ago, an Indian winning a medal in athletics at the Olympics was a dream.
When Neeraj qualified for the final on August 6, he had made it clear that the final would be different. That is what transpired, as the conditions, from morning to evening, were big factors. That Neeraj produced 89.45m in his second attempt took an enormous effort. His facial contours said it. He was feeling the heat. If not, given the usual rhythm which Neeraj generates in his javelin fling, repeated ‘fouls’ was unthinkable. What stood out and will be remembered for long was he sealed a silver at the Paris Olympics. His place is stardom is assured for years.
To be sure, if there was pressure, it was affecting the entire field, Nadem included. But then, he again came up with a 90-plus in the sixth attempt. That one throw from Nadeem for gold was more like a laser not a javelin travelling in the air, for it eclipsed an Olympic record dating back to Beijing 2008. At that time, the record stood in the name of Norway’s Andreas Thorkildsen (90.57m). For a mark to stand for 16 years is history puts in perspective what Nadeem achieved.
Off the track and field arena, Neeraj and Nadeem are friends. Today, the Indian looked tight while Nadeem produced two magical efforts. For all those who think 90m is child’s play, Neeraj winning a silver was still mind boggling. He has dealt with an adductor issue. When he skipped a big meet before Paris, it was preventive in nature. Then again, for those interested in javelin and distances thrown, Neeraj bettered what he had achieved in Tokyo.
Please do not ask him of 90m again. Let it sink in, like Sushil Kumar in wrestling, PV Sindhu in badminton and Manu Bhaker winning two medals in one edition of the Paris Olympics, Neeraj has touched highs which were unthinkable.