Neeraj Chopra on his mother calling Arshad Nadeem "Her Son" and how "She Lives In A Village"

Following Pakistan and India's dual victories in the men's javelin throw at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, Neeraj Chopra remarked that his mother's comment that Pakistani athlete Arshad Nadeem was 'like her son' came straight from the heart. Neeraj won silver with his season-best throw of 89.45 meters, while Nadeem broke the Olympic record with a tremendous 92.97-meter throw to win gold. When asked about Nadeem winning the gold before her son after the event, Saroj Devi, Neeraj's mother, said, "the one who got the gold is also like our son." Neeraj claimed that his mother always speaks from the heart and is unaffected by what is written on social media.

She comes from a village background and is not exposed to news about India-Pakistan relations on television or social media. It is as though she is a mother. "She speaks from the heart and with simplicity," Neeraj remarked in a Paris interview with India Today.

"She speaks from a mother's heart. It may have seemed unusual to some, and it may have pleased others," he continued.

Saroj Devi, Neeraj's mother, had earlier expressed her happiness at her son's performance at the Olympics and her desire to prepare her son's favorite dish.

"We are overjoyed. Silver is equally equal to gold in our eyes. The winner of the gold is also similar to our son. He  was injured, so we are happy with his performance. I will cook his favourite food," she told ANI.

Neeraj received additional accolades from Nadeem's mother during an interview with her village's press.

"Neeraj is similar to my son as well. He is both Nadeem's brother and friend. In sports, there are wins and defeats. God bless him and may he be awarded medals. I've prayed for Neeraj too; they're like brothers," she remarked.