"Arshad didn't take a single day off from training before Paris Olympics," says coach

Olympic gold medalist Arshad Nadeem's coach, Salman Iqbal Butt, said the javelin thrower trained tirelessly despite the extreme heat to prepare for the Paris Olympics 2024.

The star javelin thrower ended Pakistan's Olympic medal drought by winning the country's first-ever gold medal after 40 years.

The national star shattered the Olympic record with a monumental 92.97-meter throw in the men's javelin throw event at the Summer Games.

When asked about the strategy he used to help Arshad excel, coach Salman Iqbal Butt said, "Our strategy was simple, hard work."

The former national athlete stated, “Arshad did not take a single day off from training before the Olympics and that the biggest challenge was the hot weather.”

“It was extremely difficult to practice in such conditions and avoiding injury before the competition was a top priority,” he explained.

Butt said that no matter how experienced an athlete is, they tend to feel thirstier the day before a competition due to increased nervousness.

He said a coach should not be nervous, as it can make the player anxious. Butt tried to remain calm and composed to encourage Arshad and keep his spirits high before the competition.

"I thought the first throw was not successful, I didn't show any concern. But when Arshad raised his hands, I realised it was over 90 meters. Then he threw 92.97 meters on his second attempt," the sportsman said.

The former athlete added that Neeraj Chopra also had an excellent throw, but Arshad Nadeem's was considerably better. 

Arshad received support from individuals and institutions, however, coach Salman Butt believes Pakistan's overall sports system needs improvement.