Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem is set to return home tonight after securing the country’s first Olympic gold medal in 40 years.
Nadeem’s record-breaking javelin throw of 92.97 metres at the Paris 2024 Olympics not only earned him the top spot but also pushed defending champion Neeraj Chopra of India into second place.
The national hero is expected to arrive at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport in the early hours of Sunday, where a grand reception has been planned.
His flight, carrying him and his accompanying team, is scheduled to land around 1 am.In an interview at Istanbul airport, during a stopover on his journey from Paris, Nadeem expressed his eagerness to return home.
“I can’t wait to reach my homeland,” he told reporters, adding that the nation’s prayers had played a crucial role in his success.
Nadeem’s remarkable throw on Thursday set a new Olympic record, marking a significant moment in Pakistan’s sporting history. “It was my day. I could have thrown even further,” he said in an exclusive interview with Geo News, reflecting on his performance.
The achievement has brought immense pride to Pakistan, with celebrations planned across the country, particularly in Nadeem’s hometown of Mian Channu. The Deputy Commissioner of Khanewal district, where Mian Channu is located, praised the athlete’s accomplishment as “monumental” and a source of national pride.
Nadeem will be accompanied by Muhammad Akram Sahi, Chairman of South Asian Athletics, and his coach Salman Butt. The Athletics Federation of Pakistan and the Sports Board of Punjab have organised a grand reception to honour the gold medallist, with Sahi remarking that Nadeem’s reception will be “historic.”
Nadeem’s victory has not only ended Pakistan’s long wait for Olympic gold but has also elevated the nation’s status on the global sports stage.
