Pakistan’s Olympic team had only seven members, and Arshad Nadeem, the world championship silver medallist was always seen as the country’s best medal prospect.
On Thursday evening it turned out that the Punjabi javelin thrower from Khanewal went down in history by finishing on the podium, but also became an Olympic champion with OR of 92.97 meters as a result.
The second attempt by Nadeem probably determined who would become a gold medallist in a 12-man field. Which might have been among the most competitive since those at men’s final for javelin in last editions of Olympics. The sole person to go beyond this new OR was himself with his last throw still going over 90m before landing at 91.79m.
India’s Neeraj Chopra- defending champion came closest but did not cross 90m line for him to finish on silver position with his season-best throw of 89.45m. Anderson Peters from Grenada won bronze through his throw which covered a distance of exactly 88.54m.
It is rare for such a small delegation to bring home gold medals, like they did today. Pakistan has never celebrated victory on an individual track and field event nor has any athlete collected track and field athletics medal ever before either.
Similarly, this is Pakistan’s first Olympic medal in almost three decades since their hockey team led them to gold in Los Angeles (1984). While it is also its first since Barcelona (1992).
Sporting disciplines: Paris Olympics
1. Athletics – Javelin Throw – Arshad Nadeem
2. Shooting – Men’s Rapid Fire Pistol Shooting – Ghulam Mustafa Bashir
3. Shooting – Women’s Air Pistol Shooting – Gulfam Joseph
4. Shooting – Women’s Sports Pistol & Mixed Team Event – Kishmala Talat
5. Athletics – 100m Women’s – Faiqa Riaz
6. Swimming – Men’s 200 Freestyle – Muhammad Ahmed Durrani
7. Swimming – Women’s 200 Freestyle – Jehanara Nabi
Curiously, Pakistani officials accompanying the athletes were more than the number of athletes. This was reported by Dawn.com that among the team of eighteen there were eleven officials included in the contingent.
