The tears are flowing freely. Throat is choked with emotion, and words are difficult to find. Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra's gold medal-winning feat on the last day India’s campaign at the Tokyo Olympics is, undoubtedly, the greatest moment in Indian athletics history. After 121 years, a new chapter for India in both athletics and sports, has begun.
Chopra, 23, has not only dared to dream but proved that dreams can turn into reality. For generations, an Olympics medal has eluded India, with the late Milkha Singh and P.T. Usha coming agonisingly close.
Gurbachan Singh Randhawa, who finished fifth in 110m hurdles at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, was on cloud nine after witnessing Chopra win the historic gold. “I am feeling so good to see Chopra bring home the gold medal. For more than 100 years, there has been no gold medal in athletics for India. It is a very big achievement for Neeraj; huge! He has opened a new chapter for Indian athletics."
Chopra is the second Indian to win an individual gold medal at the Olympics, after Abhinav Bindra won it in 10m air rifle at the 2008 Beijing Games.
"This is a brilliant performance and congratulations to Neeraj and the athletics federation for this. Athletics is a big event at the Olympic Games, so, this is a big achievement. I was confident he would do well, given the manner in which he qualified for the finals," said Randhir Singh, former secretary general, Indian Olympic Association.
An emotional Ashwini Nachappa, former Olympian, said, "What a performance this has been! Something all of us have been waiting to see. In 100 years, we have not got a medal till now. I have been crying right through the event."
"Neeraj has been consistently performing in competitions. He was our biggest hope (among all the athletes who were sent to Tokyo by AFI). I know everybody will take credit now but real credit goes to his family, his coach and all those who supported him in his journey."
“Today is truly a momentous day for Indian athletics! My heartiest congratulations to Neeraj, coach Dr Klause and the entire support team of doctors, physios, nutritionists and sports science specialists,” Adille Sumariwalla, president, Athletics Federation of India, said.
“Congratulations TEAM INDIA, thank you for your tireless efforts. This is just the beginning of better things to come,” he said.
Apart from Sports Authority of India, which has been funding Chopra's training via the TOPS, he has also been supported by JSW Sports. Said Manisha Malhotra, head of sports excellence and counting, "Last two years, it was about the fight for silver or bronze. But the way the qualification went, we knew it would be a race for gold. It’s taking some time to believe it has happened! There is a huge sense of relief."
Malhotra, who was also part of the Mittals Champions Trust which supported Bindra in his journey towards the gold medal at the Beijing Olympics, added, "I couldn’t be happier to see Neeraj join Abhinav in the gold medal winners club. He deserves it. He has been through more turmoil than most athletes (due to elbow injury). We forget he is still very young."
