Arshad Nadeem's incredible feat at the Paris Olympics was the best and the biggest thing on the world circuit on Thursday as the media raved about his brilliance, strength, composure and above all his resilience in overcoming the heavy odds to accomplish the 'impossible'.
It was, indeed, a remarkable thing or so one thought till the time two old ladies with purest of souls from either side of the disputed border upstaged Arshad's monumental achievement.
Millions around the globe had their faiths restored in humanity as the mothers of both Arshad and his fiercest competitor Neeraj Chopra of India embraced the Olympic results with grace and grit that is a rare spectacle in today's materialistic world.
"Neeraj is also my son," said Arshad's mother when asked to comment on her son outshining his Indian rival at the Games. "He (Neeraj) is Nadeem's friend and also his brother. Wins and losses are part of the sport."
Earlier, Neeraj's mother had won hearts with a similar gesture when she applauded Arshad's performance at the Paris Olympics. "We are very happy. For us, silver is also equal to gold. The one who got the gold (Arshad) is also like our son," she told ANI.
Just as the mothers of both the athletes likened them to their own sons, their magnanimity went absolutely viral on social media with millions of people lauding the two ladies for their heart-warming comments and showing the way to the hostile regimes of the two neighbouring nations who have fought three wars during the past 76 years.
It may also be mentioned that both Arshad and Neeraj, despite being fierce competitors on the field, are good friends off it.
A few months back, when Arshad made a social media appeal for funds to buy a quality javelin, Neeraj stepped forward to offer his support for which Arshad was greatly indebted and expressed his gratitude on several occasions.
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