Arshad Nadeem ends Pakistan’s 32-year medal drought at Olympics with javelin gold

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August 9, 2024
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By Special Correspondent

PARIS: Star javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem ended Pakistan’s 32-year medal drought at the Olympics with a gold at Stade de France here on Thursday evening. Arshad defeated defending champion Neeraj Chopra of India to clinch Pakistan’s first Olympic medal in athletics and third individual medal since 1988. Pakistan last individual medal was in boxing at the Seoul Olympics. The Mian Channu-born athlete was slow off the blocks, registering a no-throw on his first attempt of the night but shocked everyone on his second attempt, with a monstrous 92.97-m throw, which the rest of the field could not even come close for the rest of the competition. Neeraj who also had a foul throw on his first attempt before eventually settling for a silver medal finish with an 89.45m throw on his second attempt. Grenada’s Anderson Peters took home bronze, his first ever Olympic medal, with an 88.54m throw. Nadeem’s throw was Pakistan’s first individual gold medal, first track and field medal and the second time a South Asian has had a podium finish in track and field. It also shattered the previous Olympic record of 90.57m, set by the Netherlands’ Andreas Thorkildsen at the Beijing 2008 Olympics. The throw now stands as the sixth longest throw ever, and the best in the world this year.

“When I threw the javelin, I got the feel of it leaving my hand, and sensed it could be an Olympic record, inshallah (God willing),” Nadeem said. He knelt down and kissed the ground after Chopra’s failed last attempt sealed his victory. The Pakistani finished fifth in Tokyo, but improved to take silver at last year’s world championships. Chopra, the strongest by far in qualifying and favourite to retain his title, struggled. His throw of 89.45, which won him the silver medal, was his only valid effort as he fouled on his five other attempts. “I’m not that happy with my performance today and also my technique and runway was not that good,” said Chopra, who has struggled with a groin injury. Peters’ bronze was a moment of redemption for the twice world champion who failed to make the final at the Tokyo Games three years ago. Peters hurled the javelin 88.54m on his fourth attempt to knock Czech Republic’s Jakub Vadlejch, who won silver in Tokyo, into fourth place.

Nadeem, who compared his Olympic clash with Chopra to the two nations’ rivalry in cricket, has previously said it is challenging being a non-cricket athlete in Pakistan as resources and facilities for his sport are scarce. Nadeem secured his place in the final after an impressive first throw of 86.59 metres during the qualifying round at Stade de France earlier this week. His performance ensured automatic qualification, joining India’s Neeraj and Grenada’s Peter, who also qualified with outstanding throws. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Nadeem on his win. “You’ve made the whole nation proud young man,” he wrote on social media platform X. Pakistan’s last medal came at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, through its field hockey team. The last time Pakistan won an Olympic gold medal was in 1984 in the field hockey tournament. Pakistan won the gold medal for the third time by defeating West Germany 2–1 in the final. Nadeem’s triumph is a monumental achievement for Pakistan, marking a significant milestone in the country’s sporting history.

Final Standings:

Arshad Nadeem (Pakistan) ––– 92.97 metres (OR)

Neeraj Chopra (India) ––– 89.45 metres (SB)

Anderson Peters (Grenada) ––– 88.54 metres

Jakub Vadlejch (Czechia) ––– 88.50 metres

Julius Yego (Kenya) ––– 87.72 metres (SB)

Julian Weber (Germany) ––– 87.40 metres

Keshorn Walcott (Trinidad and Tobago) ––– 86.16 metres (SB)

Lassi Etelatalo (Finland) ––– 84.58 metres

Oliver Helander (Finland) ––– 82.68 metres

Toni Keranen (Finland) ––– 80.92 metres

Luiz Mauricio da Silva (Brazil) ––– 80.67 metres