Olympian Arshad Nadeem was greeted with cheers and tributes by a massive crowd as he reached his hometown Mian Channu on Sunday.
Nadeem arrived in Pakistan early on Sunday to a rousing welcome after winning a gold medal at the Paris olympics.
Arriving on a Turkish flight, slightly delayed, he was greeted with a shower of petals, drumbeats, and patriotic chants from his enthusiastic fans.
The flight was given a water cannon salute upon its arrival as well.
Federal Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Prime Minister Youth Program Chairman Rana Mashhood, Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima and Khawaja Saad Rafique were present on the airport to greet Nadeem.
In an interview with the media, Nadeem expressed his gratitude to the nation for their unwavering support, acknowledging the crucial role of his coach in his record-breaking achievement.
He also extended his thanks to his doctor, Ali Sher Bajwa, the Pakistan and Punjab sports boards, and Akram Sahi, former president of the Athletics Federation of Pakistan.
Reflecting on his journey, Nadeem shared that his elbow injury prevented him from reaching his full potential at the Tokyo Olympics, despite his strong performance.
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However, he was humbled by the continued support and respect he received from fans and the nation. He credited his doctor’s tireless efforts in addressing his fitness issues and highlighted the invaluable guidance of his coach, Salman Butt.
Nadeem further revealed that his participation in the Diamond League, facilitated by the federation, played a significant role in boosting his morale and preparing him for the Paris Olympics.
The airport was abuzz with excitement, with a large crowd including Nadeem’s family, relatives, and prominent figures from the sporting world, such as his former coach Fayyaz Bukhari and fellow javelin thrower Yasir Ali. Ali, who secured a silver medal at an Asian championship, expressed his inspiration from Nadeem’s record-breaking victory, emphasizing its revitalizing impact on the sport in Pakistan.
