Olympic Champion Neeraj Chopra Gets Support After Facing Online Abuse for Inviting Pakistani Athlete

Olympic javelin champion Neeraj Chopra faced a wave of online hate and abuse after inviting Pakistani athlete Arshad Nadeem, the reigning Olympic champion from Pakistan, to his upcoming Neeraj Chopra Classic event.

The controversy erupted when news of the invitation spread online, leading to criticism and trolling directed at Chopra, even extending to his family. Chopra, visibly upset, issued a statement defending his intentions and asking people to leave his family out of the situation.

Chopra explained that he had invited Nadeem two days before a recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, emphasizing that the invitation was purely a sporting gesture between two athletes. He stressed his commitment to his country, saying his country and its interests always come first.

Adding to the chorus of support, fellow Olympic medalist wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt took to social media to express his solidarity with Chopra. In a heartfelt message in Hindi, Dutt praised Chopra’s patriotism and achievements, saying he doesn’t need to prove his love for India. Dutt called out the negativity, saying those who criticized Chopra were “trivial ideological people who are neither concerned about the country nor patriotism.”

Dutt’s message resonated with many, highlighting the sentiment within the sporting community that recognizes Chopra’s achievements and his right to extend a sporting invitation without having his patriotism questioned. This incident sadly underscores the prevalence of online toxicity and the need for more respectful conversations, especially when it comes to athletes who have brought pride to the nation.