Javelin ace Arshad Nadeem, who finally ended Pakistan’s 40-year-long gold medal drought with a record-breaking 92.97 metres throw — a new world record — received a grand welcome upon his return to the country after his historic performance at the Paris Olympics 2024.
Government officials including the provincial and federal ministers, the Olympic hero’s family and his fans in large number arrived at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport to receive Nadeem.
Nadeem returned home via Turkish Airlines flight TK-174, which departed 27 minutes late from Istanbul Airport and landed at the Lahore airport at 1:25.
On the directives of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the flight — carrying the national hero — was welcomed with a water cannon salute at the airport.
Federal Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Prime Minister Youth Program Chairman Rana Mashhood, Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima and Khawaja Saad Rafique — on behalf of the government— welcomed Nadeem at the airport.
While interacting with journalists at the airport, Nadeem said he was “grateful to Allah” for his great achievement during the Paris Olympics 2024. He also thanked the nation for the respect and honour it has bestowed on him.
“Due to the prayers of my parents and the nation, Allah brought me to this position,” he added.
“There is a long journey behind this success. [I] worked hard day and night to get the medal.”
“I’m very happy to win a gold medal [for my country] during the [Paris] Olympics,” he said, adding that he would prepare himself to maintain his performance in the upcoming events.
Nadeem left the airport for his hometown via a double decker bus. The Punjab police were escorting the bus.
It is worth mentioning that Nadeem won the Olympic men’s javelin title in Paris on Thursday, beating defending champion, India’s Neeraj Chopra, to secure Pakistan’s first individual gold medal at a Summer Games.
