Arshad Nadeem Makes History with Gold at 2024 Paris Olympics

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On the eighth day of the track and field events at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan achieved a historic milestone by winning the country’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in athletics. Nadeem set a new Olympic record with a javelin throw of 92.97 meters, surpassing the previous record of 90.57 meters set by Norway’s Andreas Thorkildsen in 2008.

The 27-year-old Nadeem delivered his record-breaking throw on his second attempt, after an initial failed attempt. His victory is particularly noteworthy as he is the only athlete among the seven Pakistani competitors at these Olympics who received financial support from Pakistan’s National Sports Board.

“My technique has changed a bit. I have worked on my technique; it has gotten better now, and because of that, I have succeeded in making the mark here,” Nadeem said. He expressed excitement about continuing to push beyond his current record.

Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, the defending Olympic gold medalist, secured the silver medal with a throw of 89.45 meters. Chopra had placed first in the qualification round with a throw of 89.34 meters, surpassing Nadeem’s 86.59 meters. However, Nadeem’s ability to exceed the 90-meter mark twice, including a final throw of 91.79 meters, clinched him the gold.

Chopra, who has been a dominant figure in javelin throw, maintains a strong head-to-head record of 9-1 against Nadeem from their past encounters. The two athletes have competed in ten international events, with Chopra having the upper hand.

Nadeem’s historic win not only marks a significant achievement for Pakistan but also adds an exciting chapter to the ongoing rivalry between these elite javelin throwers.