Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra declared that his relationship with his Pakistani counterpart Arshad Nadeem will no longer be the same after the recent military conflict between the two countries. The track and field athlete also asserted that he was never close friends with Nadeem.
The Indian government launched Operation Sindoor in response to the terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir that resulted in the death of 26 civilians or tourists. With Pakistan's militant groups believed to behind the terror attack, the Indian Armed forces targeted the terrorist camps in the country. The ceasefire was announced on May 10, Saturday but the situation between the two countries still remains tense.
Speaking at a presser ahead of the Doha Diamond League that begins on May 16, Chopra stated:
"First I would like to clarify that I don't have a very strong relationship (with Nadeem), we were never really close friends or something. But, because of this (Indo-Pak border tensions), it will not be like before. But if someone talks to me respectfully I reciprocate the respect."
Here's a video shared on social media:
"If somebody talks to me respectfully, I will also talk to him with full respect" - Neeraj Chopra
At the same time, the 27-year-old suggested that it will be hard not to talk to Nadeem if he talks respectfully as Javelin is a small community.
"Yes, as an athlete we have to talk, I have some good friends from athlete community from all around the world, not only in javelin throw but also other events. If somebody talks to me respectfully, I will also talk to him with full respect. Javelin is a very small community and everyone is competing for their country, so everyone wants to give their best."
Chopra had notably lost to Nadeem narrowly in the bout for gold in the Paris 2024 Olympics, forcing him to settle for silver.
