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Xtra Time Web Desk: Neeraj Chopra, India's trailblazing Olympic gold medalist in athletics, once again demonstrated his remarkable sportsmanship and humility at the Paris Games. Despite narrowly missing out on defending his title, Neeraj graciously congratulated Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem, who emerged victorious in the javelin final. 

In a moment that captured the essence of true sportsmanship, Neeraj, though evidently disappointed, held up his silver medal to the crowd, apologizing for not bringing home the gold. Speaking in Hindi at a post-event function, a humble Neeraj said, "There's not much to say, but I have something to show you all. I'm sorry that, unlike last time, our national anthem wasn't played.

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What I had hoped for didn’t happen, but a medal is still a medal. I worked hard, and winning a medal for the country and taking a lap of the track with the flag is an indescribable feeling."

Neeraj’s throw of 89.45m, his season’s best, earned him India's sole silver medal at the Paris Games and made him the first Indian athlete to win both an Olympic gold and silver in athletics.

However, the event was dominated by his long-time rival and friend, Arshad Nadeem, whose monumental throw of 92.97m set a new Olympic record and secured Pakistan's first Olympic medal since 1992.

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Neeraj’s graceful acknowledgment of Nadeem’s achievement and his modest reflection on his own performance have only further endeared him to fans, both in India and across the world.

Despite the outcome, Neeraj’s legacy as one of India’s greatest athletes remains untarnished, defined by not just his accomplishments, but also by the character he exhibits in moments of triumph and defeat alike.