India’s golden boy Neeraj Chopra once again made the nation proud by successfully defending his Olympic gold medal in the men’s javelin throw at the Paris 2024 Olympics, setting a new Olympic record with a mammoth throw of 90.71 meters. With this, Chopra became the first Indian track and field athlete to win back-to-back Olympic gold medals, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest athletes in Indian sports history.
The final at Stade de France was a showcase of elite competition. Chopra started strong with an opening throw of 87.35 meters, putting him in early contention. However, it was his third attempt, the 90.71-meter rocket, that sent shockwaves across the stadium and placed him well ahead of his nearest competitor, Jakub Vadlejch of the Czech Republic.
The Golden Throw
The record-breaking throw was a result of months of focused preparation. Chopra, who had skipped multiple Diamond League events to work on technique and recovery, peaked at the right time. His throw broke the previous Olympic record of 90.57 meters set by Norway’s Andreas Thorkildsen in 2008.
Speaking after the event, Neeraj said, “This gold is for every Indian who believed in me. Defending the title is always tougher. The pressure was immense, but I stayed calm and focused on my rhythm.”
Global Acclaim and National Celebration
Neeraj’s feat sparked immediate celebrations across India. From candlelit processions in his hometown of Khandra, Haryana, to nationwide screenings of the final, the moment brought the country together. The Prime Minister, President, and sports personalities hailed his historic achievement.
The Sports Ministry announced a reward of ₹3 crore and a dedicated Javelin High Performance Centre in Chopra’s name. Schools and colleges organized tribute events, and social media was flooded with hashtags like #GoldenNeeraj and #ChopraAgain.
A New Legacy
With this win, Neeraj joined the elite list of athletes with multiple Olympic golds in javelin, alongside legends like Jan Železný. His back-to-back golds, combined with a consistent medal tally in World Championships and Asian Games, now place him among the top javelin throwers in history.
His success has also inspired a wave of young athletes. National javelin academies have seen a surge in enrollment, and there is talk of launching a Javelin Super League in India to build on the sport’s popularity.
What’s Next for Neeraj?
While Chopra has hinted at taking a break to recover and spend time with family, he also confirmed that his eyes are set on the World Athletics Championships 2025 and Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
He concluded his press meet with a message for Indian youth: “Keep working hard, stay humble, and believe in yourself. Dreams do come true—twice.”