Neeraj Chopra enters the Paris Olympics as not just the reigning Olympic champion but the reigning World Champion as well. Neeraj Chopra’s preparations have perhaps not been the most ideal, as he has participated in just three events this year.
Ahead of the Paris Olympics, Neeraj Chopra talked about his biggest rival for the event. Jakub Vadlejch has been a near ever-present alongside Neeraj Chopra on the men’s javelin podiums around the world in recent times. The Olympic silver medalist when Neeraj Chopra won gold in Tokyo. The world bronze medalist Neeraj won gold in Budapest.
We really don’t talk: Neeraj Chopra on Jakub Vadlejch
“It’s all good. Jakub isn’t on social media, but whenever we meet, we talk, and he’s a good human being. When I finished 2 cm behind in Doha, he told me this was revenge for the last time! (Tokyo Olympics). The last time we competed together at the Diamond League in Doha, I won the competition with a throw of 88.67 and he had 88.63m. The margin was very fine. I’ve beaten him at the last Olympics and the World Championships as well. So that’s why he said that. Such competition is healthy,” said Neeraj Chopra in an interview.
The Czech athlete started the 2024 season by pipping Neeraj Chopra to the top spot at Qatar Diamond League, albeit by just 2 cm. He won a thrilling European gold in June with 88.65m, the second best mark of the 2024 season. Make no mistake, he will be a favourite in Paris 2024 as well.
I don’t think it will be the same at the Olympics. At the major competitions, everyone’s mindset is quite different. At regular competitions, we will chat and congratulate each other for good throws. But at the Olympics, we don’t really talk in the middle. It’s very different” added Chopra.
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