India’s Olympic medal drought at the Paris 2024 Games ended with a silver medal from javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, who fell short of defending his Tokyo gold but secured India’s first podium finish in the French capital.
Chopra’s best throw of 89.45 meters, recorded in his second attempt, was a season-best but not enough to surpass Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, who claimed the gold with a monumental throw of 92.97 meters, breaking the Olympic record.
The competition began tensely, with Chopra, Nadeem, and Julian Weber all committing fouls on their first attempts. Nadeem, however, quickly turned things around with a throw that surpassed the 90-meter mark, putting pressure on Chopra.
Chopra responded with his second attempt, but another foul on his third try left him trailing Nadeem. After three rounds, four competitors were eliminated, leaving Chopra to face fierce competition from Jakub Vadlejch, Anderson Peters, Julius Yego, and Weber.
In the fourth round, Peters took the lead with an 88.54, while Chopra fouled again. Nadeem played it safe, staying within bounds but managing only a 79.40-meter throw. Despite the dip in distance, Nadeem remained in the lead, with Chopra holding onto second place.
More fouls from Chopra in the fifth round allowed Nadeem to extend his lead. With just one throw left for each competitor, Chopra fouled again, sealing his fate with a silver medal. Nadeem’s gold was guaranteed even before his final throw, which he celebrated with a gigantic 91.79-meter throw.
Chopra’s silver medal brings India’s medal count at Paris 2024 to five, with a chance for another on Friday. After Swapnil Kusale’s bronze in the men’s 50m rifle 3 position final, India went six days without winning a medal before Neeraj’s silver and the men’s hockey team’s second consecutive bronze on Thursday evening.
