Neeraj Chopra 'Never Close Friends' With Arshad Nadeem; Vows Bond 'Won't Be Same Anymore'
Following the rise in military tensions, Chopra, who is currently in Doha for the Diamond League, put an end to all talk surrounding him and Nadeem by drawing a line in the sand.
Indian Olympic javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra put an end to all rumours and conversations regarding his relationship with Pakistan's Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem, stating that their bond 'won't be the same" after the recent military tensions between India and Pakistan.
Nadeem, who defeated Chopra to clinch the gold medal at the Javelin Throw event in Paris 2024, recently made headlines when he declined Neeraj Chopra's invitation to compete in the NC Classic javelin event in Bengaluru on Saturday, May 24, citing other commitments, especially with the Asian Athletics Championship to commence soon.
Chopra, on the other hand, who won silver at the same event, was ostracized by media and followers alike for having invited the champion Nadeem to the NC Classic, days before the Pahalgam tragedy.
Following the rise in military tensions, which saw the NC Classic being postponed, Chopra, who is currently in Doha for the Diamond League, put an end to all talk surrounding him and Nadeem by drawing a line in the sand.
'First, we were never really close friends or anything. And things won't be the same after this (Indo-Pak tensions)," Chopra clarified at the Doha Diamond League's press conference on Thursday.
'But, if someone talks to me respectfully, I will reciprocate the respect," he added.
The star Indian athlete came under intense scrutiny last month, after having invited Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem for his first-time event, the Neeraj Chopra Classic, as a professional courtesy.
Chopra's integrity was brought into question by followers and critics alike for inviting a sportsperson from across the border, just before the tragic Pahalgam attack.
'The invitation I extended to Arshad was from one athlete to another, nothing more, nothing less. The NC Classic aimed to bring the best athletes to India and for our country to be the home of world-class sporting events," Neeraj added.
Neeraj said that the invites were sent out on Monday, two days before the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people, tourists, were killed.
Nadeem had declined to come, citing other commitments, with the Asian Athletics Championship to commence soon.
First Published:
May 15, 2025, 15:07 IST
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