Neeraj Chopra asks people not to use his name for hate

Story by  Aasha Khosa | Posted by  Aasha Khosa • 2 Years ago
Neeraj Chopra with Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Neeraj Chopra with Prime Minister Narendra Modi

 

New Delhi

India’s Olympic gold medalist Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has told the media not to use sports for spreading hate.
 
He was referring to criticism and comments on Pakistani Javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem after Neeraj had told in an interview that in a particular picture he was asking for his javelin from Arshad during the recent Olympics.
 
Many TV channels and other media outlets concluded that the Pakistani was tampering with the personal Javelin of Neeraj.
 
In a video message posted on Twitter, the Olympian said, he was hurt by the comments against Arshad Nadeem.
He said as per the rules, anyone could use anyone’s Javelin; there was no specific rule about it.
 
“Arshad Nadeem was not tampering with my Javelin. He was practicing for his throw, and nothing else,” he said.
 
“We keep our Javelins in one place during the event, and anyone can use it. There is no specific rule about it,” said Neeraj.
 
He asked people not to use his name or sports for spreading hate. “Sports teaches us to walk together and love each other.”
 
He said he was sad to see people misusing his name for generating controversy. “We all javelin throwers live happily; please don't hurt us with such comments.”
 
He said people should not make a mountain out of a molehill.