LAHORE – Arshad Nadeem, star athlete of Pakistan, has made history after winning country’s first-ever track and field medal at Olympics with his golden javelin throw in Paris.
Arshad, who is a star at home, is nothing short of remarkable, surpassing even his historic gold medal at the Paris Olympics. Coming from a family that often struggled to afford basic needs, he defied odds to reach pinnacle of his sport.
Only a few people know that Arshad’s path to Paris Olympics was fraught with difficulties. For his first Olympics in Tokyo, he had received no support from state, relying instead on friends and neighbors to fund his travel.
In the months leading up to Paris, he struggled to get new javelin for training, eventually turning to social sites.
Despite having limited resources and absence of proper training facilities in Pakistan, Arshad Nadeem triumphed. He initially tried his hand at cricket, football, hockey, and kabaddi before focusing on javelin, training in his backyard. His father, the family’s sole breadwinner, supported Nadeem’s passion despite their financial struggles.
Arshad’s determination paid off, even as he dealt with knee and shoulder injuries, undergoing multiple surgeries, including one in February 2024. His participation in the Olympics was uncertain, making his gold medal victory all the more extraordinary.
His feats was widely celebrated across the cricket-loving nation, especially in his home village, where his family and neighbors rejoiced in his success. His family, especially his father and mother expressed immense pride, and the village erupted in celebrations.
Olympics javelin final: Pakistan’s hopes for gold rest on Arshad Nadeem
