Olympic gold medallist Arshad Nadeem on Thursday received Hilal-e-Imtiaz, the second-highest civilian award of Pakistan, for bringing laurels to the country in the recently-concluded Paris 2024 Olympics.
He won Pakistan’s first athletic gold medal with an Olympic record-breaking feat in the men’s javelin throw competition.
President Asif Ali Zardari bestowed the award on him during a ceremony at the President House in Islamabad. The President also announced a Rs100 million reward from his side for the athlete.
The 40-year drought of a gold medal in Olympics for Pakistan ended with the javelin thrower’s achievement, despite his long struggle with lack of facilities, equipment and training.
Nadeem broke the Olympic record by throwing his javelin 92.97 meters away.
Over this achievement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on August 13 had announced to grant him Hilal-e-Imtiaz.
Nadeem has been showered with rewards since his victory on August 8, the day he claimed the gold. PM Shehbaz hosted a lavish dinner for the ace javelin thrower and announced a prize of Rs150 million.
