When Arshad Nadeem's javelin soared past the 90-meter mark in the finals at the Stade de France during the 2024 Olympics, he changed the landscape of sports in Pakistan.

The young man from Mian Channu stood proudly atop the podium as Pakistan’s flag was hoisted high, the national anthem echoing through the stadium. Arshad's throw, coupled with the unwavering support of his coach Salman Butt, earned Pakistan its first Olympic gold medal since the 1984 Los Angeles Games and its very first in track and field.

In accomplishing this feat, Nadeem claimed a gold medal with a stunning throw of 92.97 meters, breaking the Olympic record and surpassing the long-held standard set by Denmark's Andreas Thorkildsen at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Arshad's homecoming to Lahore was nothing short of a hero's welcome. The streets overflowed with jubilant crowds, and the airport’s arrivals lounge was packed beyond capacity. His village braced for a celebration, and offers of monetary rewards poured in from various organizations and government officials. It was a life-altering moment for Nadeem, raising the question of what might have been if he had not needed to crowdfund the........

© The News International