On day 8 of the athletics at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem created history by winning the first-ever Olympic gold for his country in athletics with an Olympic record of 92.97 meters in the javelin throw. The 27-year-old’s throw surpassed the previous record of 90.57 meters set at the 2008 Olympics by Norwegian track and field athlete Andreas Thorkildsen.
After the first failed attempt, Nadeem’s second attempt helped him win his first Olympic gold. The athlete is the only one out of the seven Paris-bound Pakistani athletes who was financed by Pakistan’s National Sports Board for the 2024 Olympics.
“My technique has changed a bit. I have worked on my technique; it has gotten better now, and because of that, I have succeeded in making the mark here,” said Nadeem, who now looks forward to going beyond his 92.97 mark.
Neeraj Chopra Takes Silver
Following this historic performance, the defending gold medalist from India, Neeraj Chopra, secured another podium finish by placing second with a throw of 89.45 meters. In the qualification round, Chopra placed first with a throw of 89.34 meters, besting Nadeem’s throw of 86.59 meters. However, Nadeem, was the only athlete to surpass the 90-meter mark twice at the Paris Olympics (91.79 meters in his final throw),.
Over the past few seasons, Neeraj Chopra has maintained consistent outings in his marquee event to help set a mark for India in athletics. He continues to maintain a lead against Nadeem with a 9-1 head-to-head record. “The two athletes have faced off in 10 international competitions to date,” as per Olympics.com.
At the 2023 World Athletics Championship in Budapest, Chopra won his second world title by placing first in 88.17 meters, while Nadeem placed second in 87.82 meters, winning his first world title.
A special mention should be given to Anderson Peterson, who placed third with his fourth-round throw of 88.54 meters, surpassing Czechia’s Jakub Vadlejch. Following his two golds at the 2019 and 2022 world championships, the 26-year-old won his first Olympic medal in Paris. Anderson is now the third Grenadian to win an Olympic medal.
All three Olympic champions come from countries that have had a tough time representing themselves in athletics in the past. This certainly creates intrigue for fans as to what this head-to-head competition will lead up to in the next major events.
