At the 2024 Paris Olympics, the men’s javelin final witnessed a historic moment as Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem claimed gold with a record-breaking throw of 92.97m, while India’s Neeraj Chopra secured silver with 89.45m. This 1-2 finish marked a rare triumph for both nations in athletics at the Olympics.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe, who witnessed the event, acknowledged the significance of this achievement. “There was some bragging rights,” he said, referring to the friendly rivalry between India and Pakistan. “It’s absolutely fantastic, also because it was a sumptuous competition.”
Coe noted that Nadeem’s victory shattered the Olympic record and surpassed the gold-winning mark in Tokyo. He also recalled a conversation with Chopra, who had expressed confidence in his ability to win in Paris. However, Nadeem’s exceptional performance proved to be a formidable challenge.
Chopra, despite his silver medal, expressed joy for Nadeem’s historic achievement. Both athletes have played a pivotal role in elevating the profile of athletics in their respective countries.
Coe emphasized the global reach of athletics, stating that the sport is becoming increasingly popular in both track and field events. He highlighted the importance of India as a market and talent hub for World Athletics.
“India is an important market for us,” Coe said. “It’s great to know that young people are talking about athletics now as well. And recognising that cricket is not the only game in town.”
The historic 1-2 finish by India and Pakistan in the men’s javelin final at the Paris Olympics serves as a testament to the growing global presence of athletics and the potential for the sport to inspire and unite nations.
