Pakistan’s Olympic hero Arshad Nadeem voiced frustration over `fake` promises made by the government in the wake of his historic gold-medal win at the Paris Olympics in 2024. Nadeem, who became the first Pakistani athlete to win an Olympic gold in track and field, claimed that several land rewards announced after his victory have yet to materialise.
However, Geo TV quoted him as saying that while he received all the announced cash rewards, ‘every plot announcement was false. I haven’t received a single one.’ “Out of all the prize announcements made for me, all the plot announcements were fake, which I did not receive. Apart from that, I have received all the cash prizes that were announced,” Geo TV quoted him as saying.
Nadeem etched his name in history books with a javelin throw of 92.97 meters at the Stade de France in August 2024, setting a new Olympic record and outshining reigning Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra of India, who settled for silver.
Hailing from Mian Channu, a modest town about 250 kilometers from Lahore, Nadeem comes from a financially constrained background. His father, a construction worker, is the sole breadwinner for the family.
Despite the disappointment, Nadeem remains focused on his future, currently preparing for the World Athletics Championships, scheduled to be held in Tokyo this September. In addition to his personal training, he is actively involved in mentoring young athletes alongside his coach Salman Butt.
“My entire focus is on myself, but apart from that, we train any youth who comes to us for training, and this training is given by my coach Salman Butt,” he stated.
Before the Tokyo showdown, fans can look forward to another chapter in the Nadeem–Chopra rivalry. The two star javelin throwers are expected to face off at the Diamond League meet in Silesia, Poland, on August 16.
Earlier this year, Nadeem declined to participate in the rescheduled Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru, citing a clash with his training schedule ahead of the Asian Athletics Championships.
The timing of these developments comes amid national mourning following the tragic terror attack in Pahalgam, South Kashmir, where at least 26 people lost their lives.
