LAHORE: Javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem rewrote record books at Paris 2024 Olympics with 92.97 meters
Throwing the javelin and winning the gold medal in the men’s category, he was hailed as a hero.
mammoth crowds of euphoric fans gathered at the Allama Iqbal International Airport upon his return
to the country on Sunday night.
Flight with javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem, who broke the 118-year-old Olympic record,
received a water cannon salute upon landing at Lahore airport. He was escorted to the State Lounge where he was warmly received by federal and provincial ministers and government officials. Arshad Nadeem’s family was also present at the State Lounge of Allama Iqbal International Airport when he embraced his father.
Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives and Inter-Provincial Coordination Ahsan Iqbal, Chairman Youth Program Rana Mashood Ahmed Khan, Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication Sheza Fatima, PML-N Leader Khawaja Saad Rafique, Provincial Information Minister Azma Bokhari, Sports Minister Punjab Faisal Ayub Khokar garlanded the Olympian when he arrived at the State Lounge. A PPP delegation led by MPA Syed Hasan Murtaza was also at the airport to welcome the Olympian.
The Director General (DG) of Punjab Sports Board (PSB), representatives of Pakistan Athletics Federation, other provincial sports bodies and athletes also arrived at the airport to welcome their hero who made the country proud.
The Allama Iqbal International Airport wore a festive look as thousands of raucous youngsters, children and the elderly gathered to welcome the country’s hero who helped hoist the country’s flag at the Olympics after 32 long years. People danced to the beat of drums and chanted slogans that celebrated the hero of javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem. The air resonated with slogans of Pakistan Zinda Abad (Long live Pakistan).
A large number of welcome banners were put up around the Lahore airport. The police band played melodious patriotic tunes to welcome the hero who had achieved glory through his individual landmark of extraordinary performance.
The President ordered the award of Hilal-i-Imtiaz
President Asif Ali Zardari has ordered the award of Hilal-i-Imtiaz to athlete Arshad Nadeem for his record-breaking performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics in the javelin throw category.
“The President will confer the civic honor on Arshad Nadeem during a special ceremony to be held in recognition of his prominent performance in sports. The President will confer the civilian award under Article 259 (2) of the Constitution,” the Presidential Secretariat Press Wing said in a press release on Saturday.
