Will Arshad Nadeem’s Olympic gold change the course for sports in Pakistan?
Al Jazeera
The javelin thrower returns home a hero, igniting interest in track and field in cricket-centric Pakistan. Can it last?
Islamabad, Pakistan – When Arshad Nadeem, Pakistan’s first Olympic gold medallist in 40 years, arrived at Lahore airport early on August 10, he was met by a raucous crowd of thousands, chanting his name and waving the Pakistani flag.
The 27-year-old athlete was accompanied by a large convoy of people playing drums and dancing on the drive home to his village near the small city of Mian Channu in Punjab province. Once there, residents welcomed him by throwing rose petals, and his father garlanded him with flowers.
Nearly two weeks after his record-breaking javelin throw of 92.97 metres (305ft) at Stade de France at the Paris Summer Olympics, Nadeem has emerged as Pakistan’s latest national hero.
He has received nearly $900,000 in prize money from the government along with a car featuring the registration number PAK 92.97. He was also honoured at an official reception with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and invited to raise the national flag during Pakistan’s Independence Day celebrations on August 14.
In a country like Pakistan, where cricket dominates, Nadeem’s success has sparked unprecedented interest in javelin throwing and track and field sports.
