I haven't followed javelin throw as a sport much over the years. My earliest memory related to the sport is my school sports day, where a student threw a javelin and nearly knocked off our sports teacher, Mr. James, and duly got a thrashing from him. I have followed long jump a bit, even high jump and discuss. Hammer throw and javelin have been sports disciplines I have ignored sadly, over the years. Not any more, I hope.
After Neeraj Chopra's achievements, I went through some interviews on youtube to learn a bit about Chopra's journey. Big mistake. What I was expecting was some insights on the Olympic gold medalist. What I got were so many mindless questions. "Do you have a girlfriend?" One person advised him to cut his hair short a few months back so that it does not affect his throwing. His coach was also asked about it and he smugly replied that he looks good like this.
An interviewer said that the girls are now head over heels about him. He promptly replied that he hopes such things do not go to his head and he always focusses on his job. One said that the medal belonged to the whole country and grabbed the medal hanging in his neck without asking him to show to the camera. The horror. You would think people would have some courtesy.
These interviews had many short questions, and before Chopra could finish the answers, new ones came up. How would you compare your legacy to Milkha Singh, P.T. Usha? When Chopra said it is for the people to say, not him, the interviewer again urged him to answer what he thought about his legacy.
Chopra answered all the questions genuinely. There is so much to learn and admire from an Olympic champion. Even if you do not know any thing about the sport, you can ask questions about the human story. Instead, all I saw was pompousness from these men and women from the media. Why not a long, relaxed interview where we let Chopra speak.
Thank you Neeraj Chopra for bringing us so much pride and joy.
