Arshad Nadeem, the javelin superstar who ended Pakistan’s 40-year gold medal drought with a world-record throw of 92.97 meters at the Paris 2024 Olympics, was welcomed as a national hero upon his return to Lahore. Top provincial and federal officials, along with Nadeem’s family and a large number of fans, gathered at Allama Iqbal International Airport to celebrate his historic achievement.
Nadeem arrived on Turkish Airlines flight TK-174, which departed 27 minutes late from Istanbul and landed in Lahore at 1:25 AM. The flight followed a routine route, entering Lahore via Balochistan and Karachi, and took 5 hours and 23 minutes to reach its destination.
Upon his arrival, Nadeem’s flight was honored with a water cannon salute, a gesture ordered by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. Federal Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Prime Minister Youth Program Chairman Rana Mashhood, Minister of State for IT Shaza Fatima, and Khawaja Saad Rafique were among those who officially welcomed the Olympic hero.
In his remarks to journalists, Nadeem expressed deep gratitude to Allah, acknowledging the prayers of his parents and the nation that contributed to his success. He reflected on the long journey and relentless hard work that led to his gold medal, and he praised the support provided by the government and Sports Board Punjab.
“I’m very happy to win a gold medal for my country during the Paris Olympics,” Nadeem said, adding that he is committed to maintaining his performance in future competitions.
After the airport reception, Nadeem departed for his hometown in a double-decker bus escorted by Punjab police.
Nadeem’s victory in the Olympic men’s javelin throw, where he defeated defending champion Neeraj Chopra of India, secured Pakistan’s first individual gold medal at the Summer Games. His Olympic record throw of 92.97 meters earned him a standing ovation from the crowd and brought unprecedented pride to Pakistan.
Before Nadeem’s triumph, Pakistan had only won three gold medals in Olympic history, all in field hockey (1960, 1968, 1984). Nadeem is now the third Pakistani athlete to win an individual Olympic medal, joining the ranks of a wrestling bronze in 1960 and a boxing bronze in 1988. The country had not won any Olympic medals since the 1992 Barcelona Games.
In recognition of his outstanding performance, President Asif Ali Zardari has directed that Nadeem be awarded the Hilal-e-Imtiaz, Pakistan’s second-highest civilian honor. The award will be conferred in a special ceremony to acknowledge Nadeem’s exceptional contribution to sports and his role in elevating Pakistan’s status on the global stage.
Additionally, the federal government has issued a special postage stamp titled ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’ in connection with Pakistan’s Independence Day. The stamp, featuring an image of Arshad Nadeem, symbolizes the government’s commitment to progress and stability, with the Minar-e-Pakistan included in the design to highlight the nation’s struggle for independence.
