Pakistan’s golden boy, Arshad Nadeem, who recently clinched the gold medal at the Paris Olympics 2024, was greeted with overwhelming warmth and national pride amid drumbeat upon his arrival at the Pakistan Embassy in Paris. The streets surrounding the embassy echoed with chants of “Pakistan Zindabad” and “Arshad Nadeem Zindabad,” as members of the Pakistani community from all walks of life gathered in full force to celebrate their champion. Arshad, who made history by becoming the first Pakistani athlete to win an Olympic gold medal in track and field, was welcomed by Pakistan’s Ambassador to France Asim Iftikhar Ahmed along with a diverse crowd within the diaspora.  The visitors congratulated Arshad Nadeem and took lots of selfies with him. During a press conference held at the embassy, Arshad expressed his deep gratitude for the love and support he received, both in Pakistan and abroad. He highlighted the role of his parents’ prayers and the unwavering support of the Pakistani nation in his journey to the Olympic podium. However, Arshad also used the opportunity to address a pressing issue: the lack of facilities and patronage for athletes in Pakistan.

“Despite the immense talent in our country, many potential stars are unable to shine due to the lack of proper grounds and support,” Arshad said. He urged the government to provide better facilities for athletes, emphasizing that with the right support, Pakistan could produce more world-class sportsmen and women. He recounted the challenges he faced during his preparation, particularly the training sessions in the heat of Pakistan. “Behind this success is our hard work,” Arshad noted, sharing that even after his impressive performance in the second round of the Olympic javelin throw event, he did not allow himself to relax. "When I made the throw in the second round, I was hopeful the gold medal will be ours. Despite a good throw, I did not relax," he recalled. Arshad’s message to aspiring athletes was clear: “Whenever you enter the field, don’t think of yourself as weak.” He reminded everyone that Olympics was the biggest sporting event in the world, adding that as soon as goes back to Pakistan, he will tell everyone to promote sports. "The prime minister called and congratulated me on the gold medal," he added.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan