Bajrang Punia backs Neeraj Chopra over Arshad Nadeem controversy, says we’re all brothers

Bajrang Punia. File Pic/PTI

Olympian wrestler Bajrang Punia has come out in support of javelin thrower and Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra after he urged people to not use his name to "further propaganda and dirty agenda". Punia said that sport should not be used as a medium to discriminate.

"An issue is being made over Neeraj Chopra. Athletes are athletes regardless of their nationality. We're opponents on the ground but brothers outside it. Sports don't teach us to harbor malice. It teaches us to unite and not be divided," Punia told ANI.

Earlier, Chopra was dragged into a controversy after his comment in an interview, that Pakistani javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem was "moving around" with his javelin during the Olympic final.

"I would request everyone to please not use me and my comments as a medium to further your vested interest and propaganda," Chopra, said on his Twitter handle.

According to rules, any javelin submitted to the officials by a competitor for his use can also be used by any other participant. This rule applies in all field events except for pole vault. Chopra, who had used Valhalla version of Nordic brand during the final, made it clear that Nadeem, who had finished fifth, had not done anything wrong. The Haryana athlete released a video on Twitter to clear the air and urged people to not use his name for "vested interests".

Also Read: Watch: Don't use my remark on Arshad Nadeem to further 'propaganda' - Neeraj Chopra