Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh believes that the camaraderie between Indian javelin star Neeraj Chopra and Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem illustrates how sports can transcend borders and foster unity.
On Thursday, Nadeem clinched the gold medal with a remarkable Olympic record throw of 92.97m, while defending champion Chopra secured the silver with a season-best effort of 89.45m in Paris.
Harbhajan highlighted the significance of the post-ceremony interaction between Chopra and Nadeem, where both athletes, holding their respective national flags, were seen engaging in a friendly conversation. "This moment truly shows that sports is beyond any boundaries and unites everyone. It's a powerful message from both athletes," Harbhajan said.
Drawing a parallel with India-Pakistan cricket matches, Harbhajan noted that while the rivalry on the field is fierce, the off-field relationships are often warm and friendly. The 44-year-old former spinner, now a Rajya Sabha MP, also referenced a touching statement made by Neeraj Chopra’s mother after the javelin final.
"Neeraj's mother beautifully said that the gold medalist (Nadeem) is also a mother’s son and should be regarded as one of our own. It’s heartening to hear such sentiments, which reinforce the idea that sports transcends competition," Harbhajan added.
He went on to congratulate both Nadeem for his gold and Chopra, whom he hailed as a national hero and a legend. Harbhajan emphasized that Chopra has not only brought pride to India but has also inspired a new generation with his outstanding achievements on and off the field.
"Neeraj has done something extraordinary for all of us. While every athlete aims to finish at the top, what matters most is giving your best, and Neeraj did just that. Even though he didn’t win the gold, he has won countless hearts and continues to inspire many," Harbhajan said, celebrating Chopra’s back-to-back Olympic medals.
Harbhajan also expressed his disappointment over wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification from the 50kg gold-medal bout due to being 100 grams overweight. This setback led her to announce her shock retirement and file an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against the decision.
"It’s very disappointing and sad to see Vinesh unable to compete in the final because of a mere 100 grams. Although 100 grams might seem insignificant, Olympic rules are strict and apply to everyone. As an athlete, this must be a very difficult time for her. We stand with her during this tough period and hope she finds the strength to recover. She is our gold medalist, our pride, and a national hero," Harbhajan said.
While he refrained from speculating on whether the situation could have been handled differently, Harbhajan acknowledged the efforts of Vinesh’s team and expressed regret that things didn’t go as planned.