Pakistani javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem is competing in the qualification round at the Paris 2024 Olympics today. To progress to Thursday’s final, Nadeem must achieve a throw of 84.00 meters.
A nine-time international medalist, Nadeem is Pakistan’s top medal contender, having previously placed fifth at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and won gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
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His main competitor is India’s Neeraj Chopra. The final will include all athletes who reach or surpass the 84.00 meters mark, or the top 12 if fewer than 12 achieve this distance.
Nadeem’s journey from a modest background in Khanewal, supported by his family despite financial challenges, is remarkable. At 27, he is the first Pakistani to reach the finals in both the Olympics and the World Athletics Championships.
He set a Commonwealth Games record with a throw of 90.18 meters in 2022 and won silver at the 2023 World Athletics Championships, marking Pakistan’s first medal at the event.
Initially pursuing cricket, Nadeem shifted focus to javelin throw after his talent was recognized by coach Rasheed Ahmad Saqi. Despite injuries and limited resources, he has excelled, earning his spot at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
