Neeraj Chopra, India’s javelin star, recently shared his thoughts on the unexpected internet fame his mother has gained following her heartfelt remarks after the javelin event at the Paris Olympics 2024. Despite finishing second behind Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, Neeraj’s mother expressed joy for both athletes, stating that Nadeem was “also her child” and that she was very happy with her son’s silver medal. Her comments resonated deeply with fans in both India and Pakistan, with even former cricketer Shoaib Akhtar praising her for her kind words.
In a Q&A session hosted by Olympics.com, Neeraj explained that his mother, who was raised in a village and continues to live a simple life, is not active on social media and rarely watches the news. He described her as someone who always speaks from the heart, emphasizing that her words were a reflection of her understanding of the love and support that athletes receive from their communities, regardless of nationality.
“My mother has grown up in a village, living a normal life. She’s not on social media, and she doesn’t watch a lot of news. Whatever she feels, she speaks from the heart. She understands that just as I am loved and supported by my family and country, an athlete from another country like Nadeem must receive the same love from his circle. I’m sure that’s what she was thinking when she spoke,” Neeraj shared.
He added with a smile, “I’m certain she doesn’t know she’s become an internet sensation. She doesn’t use a phone or anything like that, so she wouldn’t have seen any of this.”
Neeraj’s Dream for Indian Athletics
Looking ahead, Neeraj expressed a personal dream for the future of Indian athletics. He hopes to see an international competition held in India, where he could compete against other global stars on home soil.
“It’s a dream of mine to compete with other international stars in India. Hopefully, there will be an international competition soon in India, and I can experience that,” Neeraj said.
With his mother’s words still echoing in the hearts of many, Neeraj’s vision for the future holds the promise of bringing the world’s best athletes to India, further inspiring the nation’s sports enthusiasts.
