Neeraj’s throw of 89.45m earned him second place on the podium. Although it was his best performance of the season, it wasn’t enough to secure gold, which went to Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem with a throw of 92.97m, setting a new Olympic record.
The previous Olympic record of 90.57m was held by Andreas Thorkildsen of Norway, set during the 2008 Beijing Games. Thorkildsen was present in the stands, along with three-time Olympic champion and world record holder Jan Zelezny of the Czech Republic.
Neeraj became only the third Indian athlete, and the first in track and field, to win back-to-back individual Olympic medals. Wrestler Sushil Kumar (2008 and 2012) and shuttler PV Sindhu (2016 and 2021) are the others who have achieved this feat.
After winning the silver medal, Neeraj, who had previously won gold at the Tokyo Olympics, said:
“We all feel happy whenever we win a medal for the country. It’s time to improve the game now. We will sit, discuss, and enhance our performance. India performed well at the Paris Olympics, and the competition was strong. Aaj Arshad ka din tha (Today was Arshad’s day). I gave my best, but there are areas that need improvement.”
“Our national anthem may not have been played today, but it will definitely be played somewhere in the future. If not in Paris, then elsewhere,” he added.
“(Acha hai ander. Ander throw to hai. Wo niklegi jab sab tarike se fit ho jayenge aur mentally tayyar ho jayenge) It’s all good inside. My best throw is yet to come out. It will come when I’m completely fit and mentally prepared,” he concluded.
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