Pakistan's javelin star Arshad Nadeem has declined to comment on Neeraj Chopra , who faced criticism for inviting Nadeem to the postponed NC Classic in Bengaluru, amid heightened cross-border tensions following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives.
Nadeem, who won gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics ahead of silver medalist Chopra, maintained his distance from the controversy surrounding the invitation.
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"I don't want to make any comments about Neeraj because of the ongoing conflict with India," Nadeem told reporters in Lahore.
"I come from a village and I will only say that me and my family will always stand with our army," he added.
The NC Classic javelin event, named after Chopra and scheduled for May 24 in Bengaluru, was postponed due to military conflict with Pakistan.
Chopra had also expressed similar sentiments before the Doha Diamond League Meeting on May 15, stating that he and Nadeem were never really close friends.
Nadeem revealed his future aspirations following his Olympic success in Paris.
"I have always said that I always compete with myself and my ambition is to hit the 100m mark one day," the Pakistani athlete stated.
He acknowledged Chopra's recent achievements, saying if Neeraj is doing well, "it's good for him."
Chopra recently achieved a personal best of 90.23m at the Doha Diamond League Meeting, finally breaking the 90m barrier.
The terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam occurred before Chopra extended his invitation to the Pakistani thrower, but he still faced social media criticism for the gesture.
Nadeem, who won gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics ahead of silver medalist Chopra, maintained his distance from the controversy surrounding the invitation.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel.
"I don't want to make any comments about Neeraj because of the ongoing conflict with India," Nadeem told reporters in Lahore.
"I come from a village and I will only say that me and my family will always stand with our army," he added.
The NC Classic javelin event, named after Chopra and scheduled for May 24 in Bengaluru, was postponed due to military conflict with Pakistan.
Chopra had also expressed similar sentiments before the Doha Diamond League Meeting on May 15, stating that he and Nadeem were never really close friends.
Nadeem revealed his future aspirations following his Olympic success in Paris.
"I have always said that I always compete with myself and my ambition is to hit the 100m mark one day," the Pakistani athlete stated.
He acknowledged Chopra's recent achievements, saying if Neeraj is doing well, "it's good for him."
90.23m pic.twitter.com/NRaW4UQ9lS
— Neeraj Chopra (@Neeraj_chopra1) May 17, 2025
Chopra recently achieved a personal best of 90.23m at the Doha Diamond League Meeting, finally breaking the 90m barrier.
The terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam occurred before Chopra extended his invitation to the Pakistani thrower, but he still faced social media criticism for the gesture.
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