Neeraj Chopra does not believe in hype or celebrations on returning home. The Paris 2024 Olympics silver medallist almost slipped into India unnoticed minus any fanfare. On Friday, he visited a Sports University in Rai, Sonipat, which is 90kms from New Delhi. Earlier, this was known as the Motilal Nehru School Of Sports, Rai. The way he spoke to the audience, it was clear that Chopra, winner of two Olympic medals, has not let success affect him. To the contrary, he stays grounded and spoke more on the success of the Indian athletes at the Olympics and Paralympics.
For all the concern over Neeraj’s adductor strain, which has come under scrutiny, he competed in the Wanda Diamond League final in Berlin recently and finished just a centimetre behind Anderson Peters from Grenada. After that performance, Neeraj made it public on social media how he had fractured the fourth metacarpal in his left hand a few days earlier. He had described his condition as “another painful challenge” on social media, but that was only after the event. No excuses, no fuss – that is what defines Chopra.
The focus is now on how to get fully fit for the 2025 season, and being back home is a luxury. Eating ‘desi’ food without too many restrictions gives Chopra joy, though he has already told a few friends in Panipat that he is concerned about “putting on weight”. But then, everyone knows that Chopra handles himself beautifully. When people talk of role models and humility, this 26-year-old defines it.
Reflecting on the 2024 season, Chopra was not sad at what happened. Rather, he looked at getting fit for 2025 and being injury-free. He spoke of sorting out ‘technique’ issues in the 2025 season and how his training will be primarily abroad. That has suited him from even before the Tokyo Olympics, in 2021.
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आज नई दिल्ली में हमारे ओलंपिक चैंपियन @Neeraj_chopra1 से मुलाकात हुई। उन्हें भविष्य के लिए शुभकामनाएं प्रेषित की। pic.twitter.com/83yaukQpjE
— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) September 27, 2024
Reflecting on the performance of Indian athletes at Paris 2024 and the massive efforts from the Paralympics stars, Chopra was effusive in praise. He was speaking to an important audience, as they were mostly students who had lined up at the venue in Rai. “It always feels good to come here,” he said. “I wanted to come here and discuss how we can increase the number of medals.”
Even though Mission 2036 Olympics is mostly about India winning the bid, Chopra’s chat at the University was about producing more champions. As one who did not have access to the best facilities when he started as an athlete, he spoke about developing infrastructure as well.
People at home often compare India and China and how a country with a massive population wins few medals. This was where Chopra made an important point and highlighted the number of fourth-place finishes for India at Paris 2024. He spoke on how, for the first-timers in Paris, even fourth place was very important. He also praised the Paralympic stars who peaked in Paris, many of whom look up to Neeraj Bhaiyya as a role model. Sumit Antil and Navdeep Singh, both in the javelin throw, were among the biggest heroes from the Paralympics.
Where Chopra came across as someone focussed to the core was when he did not talk of winning a medal in the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, but of building towards it. His mention of finishing on the podium at the World Championship in Tokyo next September (2025) conveyed how he is again going to take it step by step. LA 2028 is still four years away. Before that, 2026 will also be important as the Commonwealth Games in Scotland and Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya are important meets on the calendar.
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