PARIS – Pakistani athlete Arshad Nadeem made history on Thursday by winning the country’s first Olympic gold medal in 40 years, setting a new Olympic record in the men’s javelin final at the Paris Games.
Nadeem’s remarkable throw of 92.97 meters on his second attempt left spectators in awe and secured Pakistan’s first individual gold medal, as well as its first track and field medal. This achievement also marks only the second time a South Asian athlete has reached the podium in track and field events.
The Mian Channu native’s performance outshone his competitors, including his rival Neeraj Chopra from India, who claimed silver with a throw of 89.45 meters.
The victory sparked widespread celebration across Pakistan and beyond, with social media platforms buzzing with congratulatory messages. Government officials, politicians, and journalists joined in praising Nadeem’s extraordinary feat.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif lauded Nadeem’s accomplishment, stating, “Bravo Arshad. History made! You’ve made the whole nation proud, young man.”
President Asif Ali Zardari echoed these sentiments, declaring, “Arshad Nadeem’s win is the entire nation’s win.”
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The armed forces, through the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), commended Nadeem’s “unwavering dedication, unrelenting perseverance, and exemplary hard work,” hailing him as a “national hero and an iconic symbol of sporting excellence.”
Political parties across the spectrum celebrated Nadeem’s triumph. The PTI highlighted his journey “from the streets of Mian Channu to the historic gold medal for Pakistan in Olympic Games,” while the PML-N called him the “definition of a champion and a legend.”
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised Nadeem’s “historic and unforgettable feat,” crediting his success to “hard work and the nation’s prayers.”
Many commentators, including lawyer and activist Jibran Nasir, emphasized Nadeem’s achievement in the face of limited resources, noting that he had “beaten the best in the world who are afforded the best training facilities by their countries.”
As Pakistan celebrates this rare moment of national pride, Arshad Nadeem’s gold medal stands as a testament to individual perseverance and the potential for Pakistani athletes to excel on the global stage.
