Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Paris 2024: Neeraj Chopra, Arshad Nadeem eye history in javelin final

After a challenging few days, India’s hopes now rest on Neeraj, who aims to defend the gold medal he won at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

Paris 2024: Neeraj Chopra, Arshad Nadeem eye history in javelin final

India's Neeraj Chopra and Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem will compete today in the men's javelin final at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

After a challenging few days, India's hopes now rest on Neeraj, who aims to defend the gold medal he won at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.


Both Neeraj and Arshad qualified for the final with their best throws of the season. Neeraj led the qualifiers with a throw of 89.34m, while Arshad recorded a solid 86.59m throw.

Julian Weber of Germany was just behind Neeraj with a throw of 87.76m. Former world champion Julius Yego of Kenya and Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Jakub Vadlejch of Czechia followed with throws of 85.97m and 85.63m, respectively. Toni Keranen of Finland also qualified with a throw of 85.27m.

Neeraj's performance in the qualifier was the second-best of his career, easing concerns about his fitness after dealing with an adductor injury before the Games. His personal best remains 89.94m, achieved in 2022.

Kishore Jena, the other Indian competitor, did not qualify for the 12-man final, with a throw of 80.73m.

Neeraj won gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics with an 87.58m throw. If he wins another gold, he will become the first Indian athlete to win two gold medals in individual sports.

In Olympic history, only four athletes have defended the men’s javelin gold: Eric Lemming (Sweden), Jonni Myyra (Finland), Jan Zelezny (Czech Republic), and Andreas Thorkildsen (Norway).

Even if Neeraj wins silver or bronze, he would still become the most decorated Indian athlete in individual sports at the Olympics, surpassing PV Sindhu, Sushil Kumar, and Manu Bhaker, who each have won two Olympic medals.

Arshad Nadeem is also hoping to win a medal for Pakistan, which has only two individual Olympic medals in its history.

The javelin final at Paris Olympics is slated to begin at around 7.25 pm (UK time).

More For You

Minouche Shafik

Shafik served as deputy governor for markets and banking at the Bank of England between August 2014 and February 2017.

Reuters

Starmer appoints Minouche Shafik as chief economic adviser in reshuffle

Highlights:

  • Minouche Shafik named chief economic adviser to Keir Starmer.
  • Darren Jones moves into Downing Street role; James Murray replaces him.
  • Wider reshuffle includes changes in Starmer’s private office and communications.
  • Appointment comes ahead of a budget expected to include further tax rises.

Prime minister Keir Starmer has named Minouche Shafik, a former deputy governor of the Bank of England, as his chief economic adviser. The appointment comes as he looks to strengthen his team ahead of what is expected to be a difficult end to the year.

Keep ReadingShow less
Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin and Alastair Stout

The new Harry Potter series stars Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin and Alastair Stout

‘Harry Potter’ filming in London sparks anger as locals claim no consent for Privet Drive remake

Highlights:

  • A London street has been turned into Privet Drive for the new Harry Potter series
  • Locals in Upminster say they were not told filming was for the HBO remake
  • Some residents fear being “bombarded with wizards” while others are thrilled
  • Cast includes Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin and Alastair Stout

A quiet street in east London has been transformed into Privet Drive for the new Harry Potter series, but locals are unhappy they were not properly informed about the filming. Springfield Gardens in Upminster, chosen to double as the boy wizard’s childhood home, has left neighbours divided, with some welcoming the attention while others worry they will be “bombarded with wizards.” The HBO production, part of a major reboot, has already brought cameras, drones and fans to the area.

Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin and Alastair Stout The new Harry Potter series stars Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin and Alastair Stout Instagram/harrypotterhbonotofficial

Keep ReadingShow less
Priyanka Chopra, Alia Bhatt and Katrina Kaif

Farhan Akhtar confirms Jee Le Zaraa is not shelved but cast uncertain

Instagram/priyankachopra

Farhan Akhtar says ‘Jee Le Zaraa’ will happen but drops bombshell that Alia Bhatt, Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif may exit

Highlights:

  • Farhan Akhtar says Jee Le Zaraa has been delayed but not shelved
  • Significant work including music and location scouting already completed
  • Director cannot confirm if Alia Bhatt, Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif remain attached
  • Project first announced in 2021 as a female-led road trip film

Filmmaker-actor Farhan Akhtar has clarified that his highly anticipated film Jee Le Zaraa has not been shelved. Speaking about the much-discussed project, Akhtar said the film is simply “on the back burner” due to scheduling conflicts. The clarification comes after years of speculation that the all-female road trip film, originally announced with Priyanka Chopra, Katrina Kaif and Alia Bhatt, might have been abandoned.

Priyanka Chopra, Alia Bhatt and Katrina Kaif Farhan Akhtar confirms Jee Le Zaraa is not shelved but cast uncertain Instagram/priyankachopra

Keep ReadingShow less
modi putin

Before their formal meeting, Putin offered Modi a ride in his Aurus limousine.

X/@narendramodi

Six key takeaways from the SCO summit

INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi met Russian president Vladimir Putin and Chinese president Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China.

Modi pressed for ending the Ukraine conflict at the earliest, reaffirmed India’s long-standing ties with Russia, and discussed trade and border issues with Xi.

Keep ReadingShow less
Afghanistan earthquake

Afghan volunteers and Taliban security personnel carry an earthquake victim evacuated by a military helicopter from the Nurgal district of Kunar province onn September 1, 2025.

Getty Images

Afghanistan earthquake kills more than 800, thousands injured

A MAJOR rescue operation was underway in Afghanistan on Monday after a powerful earthquake and several aftershocks destroyed homes in a remote mountainous region, killing more than 800 people, according to Taliban authorities.

The quake struck just before midnight and was felt as far as Kabul and in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad.

Keep ReadingShow less