Chopra takes to Twitter, says “It hurts”
On Twitter, the Olympic champion expressed his disappointment at seeing athletes demand justice by protesting in the streets. "They have worked tirelessly to represent our great country and make us proud."
"As a country, we must protect the integrity and dignity of every individual, athlete or not," the Tokyo Olympic gold medalist stated.
Neeraj is maybe the first active elite athlete to speak out in support of the wrestlers demanding a fair investigation into Wrestling Federation of India chief and BJP leader Brij Bhushan, who is facing sexual harassment claims.
Chopra expressed his displeasure a day after the IOA chief chastised wrestlers for returning to the streets to renew their protests rather than approaching the IOA's athletes' commission to lodge complaints against the deposed Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
Chopra, who made history by winning India's first-ever gold medal in athletics at the Olympics, said it "hurts" to see wrestlers taking to the streets in search of justice.
He tweeted: "It hurts me to see our athletes on the streets demanding justice. They have worked hard to represent our great nation and make us proud.
As a nation, we are responsible for safeguarding the integrity and dignity of every individual, athlete or not. What's happening should never happen.
"This is a sensitive issue, and must be dealt with in an impartial and transparent manner. Pertaining authorities must take quick action in order to ensure that justice is served."
The wrestlers have resumed their protest after calling it off earlier this year in January, with authorities pledging action following a thorough investigation by the Oversight Committee into their charges of sexual harassment by the deposed WFI president.
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