'We were never really close friends', Neeraj Chopra clarifies bond with Arshad Nadeem

India’s Olympic gold medalist and javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has clarified that he and Pakistan’s Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem were never “very close friends,” and acknowledged that following the recent tensions between India and Pakistan, their relationship would likely never be the same.

The athletes were widely praised for their camaraderie, which stood out in the context of the long-standing India-Pakistan rivalry. Their friendly interactions at international tournaments had been celebrated globally as a sign of sportsmanship rising above politics. However, Chopra now believes the growing tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours will inevitably impact their bond.

“First, I would like to clarify that I don’t have a very strong relationship with Arshad. We were never really close friends or anything. But because of this [recent conflict], it will not be like before,” Chopra said during a press conference on the eve of the Diamond League in Doha. He was directly addressing the backlash and speculation surrounding his ties with Nadeem.

Read more: Neeraj Chopra says he received 'hate and abuse' for inviting Arshad Nadeem to India

“I never had a very deep friendship with him, but we were always respectful toward each other,” he added. “Yes, as athletes we have to talk. I have good friends from the athletics community all over the world — not just in javelin, but in other events too.”

The controversy began after Chopra’s team sent invitations to several elite athletes — including Nadeem — for the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic, an event created to promote athletics in India. Nadeem declined the invitation due to a conflicting training schedule but extended his best wishes for the meet.

However, public sentiment shifted dramatically after the tragic Pahalgam incident in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK), which claimed the lives of 26 civilians. In the aftermath, Chopra and his family were subjected to online abuse, with many questioning why a Pakistani athlete had been invited during such a sensitive time.

Chopra, who also secured a silver medal at the Paris Games, took to social media to address the criticism, writing, “There has been so much talk about my decision to invite Arshad Nadeem to compete in the Neeraj Chopra Classic, and most of it has been hate and abuse.”

He reiterated that the invitation was a gesture of goodwill between athletes — “nothing more, nothing less” — and was intended to help bring world-class athletics events to India.

Read more: Arshad Nadeem declines Neeraj Chopra’s invite for Bengaluru javelin event

Chopra and Nadeem have shared a high-profile rivalry since the Tokyo Olympics, where Chopra won gold and Nadeem finished fifth. Their bond, often viewed as a symbol of cross-border respect and sportsmanship, gained further admiration when the two shared warm moments during the 2022 Commonwealth Games and World Championships.

When Nadeem became the first Pakistani track and field athlete to win a gold medal at the Paris Olympics, Chopra’s mother endeared herself to fans across the border by saying that Nadeem was like a “son” to her.

Despite the current strain caused by political and military developments, Chopra stated he would continue to show respect toward Nadeem.

“I have a lot of friends in the athletics circuit, since javelin throwers are part of a very small community,” Chopra said. “I will always reciprocate the respect I receive from my fellow athletes.”