Congratulations kept pouring in on Friday for golden boy Arshad Nadeem, who not only broke records but also ended Pakistan’s 40-year Olympic gold medal drought by winning a gold medal in the men’s javelin at the Paris 2024 Olympics the other day. His 92.97 meter throw didn’t just tower him above all but shattered the Olympic record.
The victory marked Pakistan’s first track and field gold medal at the Games, which was more significant because it came against defending champion Neeraj Chopra from India. Earlier, Andreas Thorkildsen wore the crown for his 90.57 meter throw at Beijing 2008, but Nadeem took the title away with his extraordinary throw, placing him sixth on the all-time list and made him only the fourth athlete to surpass the 90-meter mark in Olympic history.
While celebrations began as soon as the results were announced, President Azif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday sent out messages of congratulations. The president called Nadeem’s victory “a triumph for the entire country”, while the premier praised his “exceptional achievement”. Shehbaz said Nadeem’s victory was a gift to all Pakistanis, and that the athlete had not become a symbol of national pride, who would inspire the future generations.
The military officials also acknowledged the achievement, with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and the chiefs of the three services sending their warmest felicitations. Hailing Nadeem for his unwavering dedication, they said his victory was a testament to Pakistan’s potential to excel on the global stage.
Congratulating Arshad Nadeem, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced a Rs100 million cash prize for him, saying that it was a way of showing the nation’s gratitude to the person who brought glory to Pakistan. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah hailed Nadeem and said the he had made the nation proud. The Sindh government also announced a cash prize of Rs50 million for the Olympian, while Governor Kamran Tessori said he would give the athlete another Rs1 million for the historic win.
The state television quoted Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab as saying that a sports academy would be established in Karachi in Nadeem’s name to honor his achievement. Separately, Sukkur Mayor Barrister Arsalan Islam Sheikh also announced a “gold crown” for Nadeem, and said the new sports stadium in Sukkur would be named after him. The mayor, who is also the Sindh government spokesperson, invited Nadeem to Sukkur so that he could be crowned. Pakistan Sports Board Director General Yasir Pirzada, PM’s advisor Rana Sanaullah and Federal Secretary Nadeem Irshad Kayani also congratulated Nadeem for his outstanding performance, and called it a major achievement for the country.
THE HOUSE HAILS
The victory was celebrated even in the National Assembly, where members heaped praises on Nadeem for bringing glory to Pakistan. The Lower House of Parliament also passed a unanimous resolution to award a civil honor to the javelin thrower, commending him for making to the top despite a lack of resources. Meanwhile, Senate Deputy Chairman Syedaal Khan Nasar said that the Upper House would celebrate Nadeem’s achievement by throwing a dinner in his honor.
Love from across the border
The Indian media reported Nadeem’s victory with both respect and admiration, and focused on the friendly rivalry between Nadeem and India’s Neeraj Chopra. Chopra himself was among the first to congratulate Nadeem, with outlets like India Today and Telegraph India praising the sportsmanship exhibited by both athletes. Major Indian media outlets gave extensive coverage to Nadeem’s victory and highlighted his struggles. The coverage was not just respectful but also detailed, with some focusing on his journey from a small town to the Olympics.
India Today and NDTV Sports also highlighted the emotional moment when Nadeem, wrapped in the national flag, broke down in tears after his record-breaking throw of 92.97 meters. Similarly, the Telegraph India talked about challenges that Nadeem faced, especially his comeback after injuries and subsequent surgeries, and the lack of resources and proper facilities in his career. Some of the Indian media outlets also compared the sporting cultures of the two countries, especially when it comes to resources available to athletes in Pakistan and India.