Pakistan erupted in celebrations as javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem secured the nation’s first Olympic track and field medal, setting a new Games record with a throw of 92.97 meters to claim gold in Paris.
The cricket-obsessed country stayed up late on Thursday night to witness Nadeem’s historic achievement, marking Pakistan’s first Olympic medal since the men’s field hockey team won bronze in Barcelona 32 years ago.
Shahid Nadeem, Arshad’s brother, expressed his joy, saying, “Our brother has won the gold medal, and I’ve lost my voice from celebrating all night.” Speaking from their home in Mian Channu, Punjab, he added, “When he returns, we will celebrate in a way the world will never forget! We are simple people, and we’ll celebrate with kheer (local rice pudding) and whatever Allah provides. We are happy!”
Scenes of jubilation filled the streets outside Nadeem’s home, with people dancing to drums. His mother, speaking to Geo News, shared her pride, saying, “I am so happy, what can I tell you? I want to hug and kiss him. He has made Pakistan proud, earned a medal, and made our flag fly high.”
Nadeem broke the previous Olympic record of 90.57 meters, set by Norway’s Andreas Thorkildsen at the 2008 Beijing Games, with his second throw, which nearly reached 93 meters. He celebrated by raising his arms as the board confirmed his record-breaking achievement, leaving spectators in awe.
Reflecting on his victory, Nadeem said, “When I threw the javelin, I felt it leave my hand and sensed it could be an Olympic record, inshallah (God willing).”
In a thrilling competition, Nadeem defeated India’s reigning world champion Neeraj Chopra, who secured silver with a throw of 89.45 meters, while Grenada’s Anderson Peters claimed bronze with 88.54 meters. The camaraderie between Nadeem and Chopra, who embraced with their respective flags draped over their shoulders, defied the longstanding rivalry between Pakistan and India.
The nation now eagerly awaits Nadeem’s podium moment, as he is set to receive Pakistan’s first Olympic gold since the men’s field hockey team’s victory in Los Angeles in 1984. Pakistani sports journalist Altamish Jiwa described Nadeem’s gold as a “monumental victory” that has uplifted the nation’s spirits.
“Nadeem has delivered the perfect gift that the nation has been waiting for—a sense of triumph and collective joy that Pakistan has lacked for many years, not just in sports but in everyday life,” Jiwa commented.
Nadeem, who finished fifth at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics with a throw of 84.62 meters and won silver at the 2023 World Championships, has become the first Pakistani athlete to reach the final of any Olympic track and field event. He has previously spoken about the challenges of competing on the world stage, given the lack of advanced training facilities in Pakistan, a country not known for its track and field athletes.
Initially aspiring to be a cricketer, Nadeem switched to javelin in 2015, a decision he calls “the best thing that happened” to him. “I wouldn’t be in the Olympics otherwise,” he said.
While cricket remains the unofficial national sport of Pakistan, Nadeem’s victory has sparked a shift in focus towards athletics and ignited discussions on social media about the need for better resources for athletes competing internationally.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, congratulated Nadeem on his achievement, stating on X, “You’ve made the whole nation proud, young man.”
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