Hangzhou, Oct 5: Chinese authorities have come under massive criticism after Neeraj Chopra was asked to rethrow the spear as they failed to measure his first attempt.
The Indian star’s first throw nearly measured 87-mark, but was not recorded as the Chinese officials failed to figure out in every possible way.
“I was puzzled and confused. This has never happened in any of the competitions I have competed in till now. I think they lost my landing mark and they kept on searching for it,” Neeraj told reporters after winning the gold in the men’s javelin throw event.
“I don’t know why they did not measure my throw when the measurements were taken on the throws of the competitors who threw the spears. I kept on asking what happened to my throw,” he added.
In a strong reaction, the senior vice president of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) Anju Bobby George accused the Chinese officials of deliberately targeting the Indian athletes.
“They are trying to cheat us and trying to disturb our athletes. Neeraj’s first throw was very good. It was a kind of disturbance when his throw was not measured. We called Neeraj to protest at the spot,” she said.
Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi called China a rogue country and questioned why the Dragon country was even allowed to host such an event.
“The throw was definitely 87+, sufficient enough to fetch gold. Don’t know why China – a rogue nation that never believes in a rule based order is even allowed to host an international event?” he Xed.
Not just Neeraj, but his compatriot Kishore Kumar Jena also was given a raw deal when his second throw was invalidated for crossing the line, though the decision was reversed. Jena won the silver with his 4th round throw of 87.54m.
“Like today with Neeraj, they did not measure Annu (Rani’s) first throw on Tuesday, That was also a very good throw. Jyothi Yarraji also faced this in 100m hurdles),” Anju Bobby George added.
