LAHORE: Pakistan celebrated the return of its national hero, Arshad Nadeem, with grand festivities as he arrived home with a gold medal from the 2024 Paris Olympics, marking the country’s first Olympic gold in 40 years. The excitement and pride in the air are evident as the nation comes together to celebrate the achievements of the national hero.
Speaking to the media at the airport, Arshad Nadeem reflected on his journey, emphasizing that his victory was the result of relentless hard work and dedication from both him and his coach.
“This success represents a long journey of perseverance,” he said, expressing gratitude to the Pakistan Sports Board and his coach for their unwavering support.
Arshad Nadeem has set a new Olympic record by throwing the javelin a remarkable 92.97 meters during the javelin throw competition at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The nation proudly welcomed Arshad Nadeem back home at Lahore Airport, where he arrived at 12:45 AM after his outstanding performance at the Olympic Games. A large crowd, including family members, federal ministers, and dignitaries, gathered to celebrate the champion, with many fans traveling from his hometown of Mian Channu to join in the festivities.
Strict security measures were in place at Allama Iqbal Airport, with a heavy presence of police and ASF personnel to ensure safety.
As Arshad’s flight entered Pakistani airspace, air traffic controllers extended a warm welcome, praising him for bringing honor to the country. With this achievement, Arshad Nadeem became Pakistan’s first-ever individual gold medalist at the Olympics.
In his competition, Arshad initially struggled with his first attempt but made a remarkable comeback with his second throw, achieving a distance of 92.97 meters, breaking the previous Olympic record set by Norway’s Andreas Thorkildsen, who threw 90.57 meters at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Following his victory, the Punjab government announced a reward of Rs100 million for Arshad, while the Sindh government pledged an additional Rs50 million to honor the star athlete.
In recognition of his accomplishments, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered the issuance of a special postage stamp titled “Azam-e-Istehkam” on Pakistan’s 77th Independence Day, paying tribute to Arshad Nadeem. The stamp symbolizes Pakistan’s commitment to development, stability, and the enduring spirit of its people while celebrating Arshad’s remarkable athletic achievements and the country’s historical struggle for independence.
Additionally, President Asif Ali Zardari has directed that the Hilal-e-Imtiaz be conferred upon Arshad Nadeem for his record-setting performance at the Paris Olympics. The award ceremony will take place to honor his outstanding contributions to sports, as announced by the President’s Secretariat.
