India’s Neeraj Chopra and Vinesh Phogat at Paris Olympics 2024 (AP)
Neeraj Chopra said people don’t forget what Vinesh Phogat did for the country irrespective if she gets a medal or not.
Star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra is keeping his fingers crossed for wrestler Vinesh Phogat as she awaits a verdict on her appeal against disqualification from the Games but at the same time, he is also hoping that “people don’t forget what she did for the country” if the decision is not in her favour.
Vinesh was found 100gm overweight before her 50kg category final on Wednesday. She has appealed against her disqualification in the ad-hoc division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport here. A decision on the appeal is expected to be delivered by 9.30 pm IST.
FOLLOW COURT PROCEEDINGS LIVE HERE
Chopra, who claimed his second successive Olympic medal — a silver to follow up on the gold in Tokyo –, said he wants the medal around Vinesh’s neck for one simple reason — “people shouldn’t forget her.”
“If she gets the medal, it would be very good. If things had not panned out the way they did, she would have had the medal. I hope she gets it because if you don’t have it around your neck, that thing stays in your heart,” the 26-year-old Chopra told reporters at ‘India House’ after a felicitation by IOC member and Reliance Foundation chairperson Nita Ambani.
“Today people might say that she is our champion but they will forget after a few days. Agar aisa na hota, a medal wouldn’t have mattered. So, I hope she gets the medal. I just hope whether she gets the medal or not, people don’t forget what she did for the country,” he said.
ALSO READ | Paris Olympic 2024: Neeraj Chopra Says ‘…Our National Anthem Did Not Play…’, After Silver Medal
Chopra is the first track-and-field athlete from the country to win two Olympic medals. His gold in Tokyo continues to be an unmatched achievement for Indian athletics.
Catch Paris Olympics 2024 Day 13 LIVE Updates Here. Stay updated with the latest from Olympics 2024. Explore India At Paris Olympics 2024 Today. Check the updated list of Paris Olympics 2024 Medal Tally. Check Paris Olympics 2024 Event Results.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)
Read More: Paris Olympics 2024: Neeraj Chopra Says, ‘Medal or No Medal, Hope People Never Forget What
