Arshad Nadeem receives gold medal for making history at Paris Olympics

He is the first Pakistani athlete to win a gold medal at the Olympics in 40 years

Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem, who made history with his javelin throw at the Olympics last night, was awarded the gold medal during a ceremony at the Athletics Stadium in Paris on Friday.

The 27-year-old athlete received a standing ovation from the crowd as he stepped up to the podium, proudly holding the gold medal aloft for the cameras.

With one hand placed over his heart, Nadeem sang Pakistan’s national anthem as the country’s flag was raised at an Olympic stadium for the first time in 40 years.

The moment proved to be an emotional one for the javelin star, as he fought back tears while the anthem played and the flag soared high in the background.

Nadeem's victory marks a significant milestone for Pakistan, as he is the first athlete from the country to win an individual gold medal at the Olympics in 40 years.

He set a new Olympic record in javelin throw by launching the spear a distance of 92.97 meters.

Arshad Nadeem's historic victory at the Paris Olympics has etched his name in the annals of sports history, as he became Pakistan's first-ever Olympic gold medalist in an individual event.

With a stunning throw of 92.97 meters in the men's javelin final, Nadeem not only secured the gold but also set a new Olympic record, surpassing the previous mark of 90.57 meters established in 2008.

This monumental achievement comes 40 years after Pakistan last claimed an Olympic gold medal, which was in field hockey in 1984.

Nadeem's triumph is particularly significant as it marks a turning point for Pakistan in athletics, inspiring a new generation of athletes and bringing national pride to a country that has long awaited success on the global stage.

His emotional reaction, wrapped in the national flag and celebrating with his coach, resonated deeply with fans back home, symbolising hope and resilience in the face of adversity.

What is this award given to athletes on the podium at the same time as their medals?

During the ceremonies for the Olympic winners at the Paris 2024 Olympics, the athletes on the podium are presented with their medals. During this ceremony, they are also presented with another gift, one that many find mysterious. It was a box measuring around forty centimetres containing the official poster for the event. The poster, designed by Ugo Gattoni, was not the only gift given to the medallists.

After the ceremony (and not on the podium), they also receive a gold, silver or bronze medal-winning mascot. They are made in France at the Doudou & Compagnie factory in La Guerche-de-Bretagne. Gold, silver or bronze medals are represented by the medal emblem sewn onto the mascot's belly, by the colour of the trainers and by the text "Bravo" in French on the back of the Phryge.

All of these gifts are being given by 515 Paris 2024 volunteers.