Pakistani star athlete Arshad Nadeem, who won a gold medal and set a record at the Paris Olympics, expressed his gratitude to the Pakistani nation and the government for their prayers and support, emphasising the hard work behind his achievement.
Speaking alongside Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and his coach after reaching Islamabad to attend a dinner being hosted at PM House in his honour on Tuesday, Nadeem thanked his parents and the entire nation. “I didn’t just win a gold medal at the Paris Olympics, but I also set a record, all thanks to the prayers of my people,” he said.
Nadeem highlighted the immense effort that led to his success, recalling his participation in competitions organised by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in 2012, where he first gained recognition, and his subsequent medal wins in 2014.
He acknowledged the role of his coach, Salman Butt, who supported him like a family member after the Tokyo Olympics. “We worked hard and broke the 90-plus record in the Commonwealth and World Islamic Games,” Nadeem stated.
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Reflecting on his journey, Nadeem mentioned winning Pakistan’s first medal in Budapest, despite suffering an injury. “Thanks to the doctors’ efforts, I recovered in time,” he added.
Nadeem recounted how he qualified for the finals of the Paris Olympics on his first throw in the qualifying round on August 6, boosting his confidence for the gold medal. “When I made the first throw, the run-up was off, so I aimed to perfect it on the second attempt, which measured 92.97 metres,” he explained.
He shared how he promised his coach that he would break the world record, though he ultimately set an Olympic record.
Nadeem expressed his joy at the warm welcome he received upon returning to Pakistan, particularly at Lahore airport. “The entire nation has honoured my hard work, and I am still receiving appreciation,” he said.
He also mentioned his meeting with Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz in his village, where he was given great respect earlier today. “Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has also honoured me, and I am deeply grateful for the recognition, which is more valuable than the medal itself,” he remarked.
As Pakistan’s Independence Day approaches, Nadeem expressed his gratitude to Allah for granting him such a significant achievement in August. “Tomorrow is 14th August, and we will celebrate it with this medal, Insha’Allah,” he concluded.
