Undivided Punjab’s legacy shines at Paris Olympics: Nadeem wins gold for Pakistan, Neeraj silver for India

By Saurabh Duggal

In a historic feat at the 2024 Paris Olympics, javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem, hailing from Mian Channu Tehsil in Punjab province, clinched gold for Pakistan—the country's first-ever individual Olympic gold.

Defending champion Neeraj Chopra, who hails from Panipat, which was part of Punjab until 1966 when Haryana was carved out, won silver, reinforcing his status as one of India’s most successful Olympians.

Both Nadeem, 27, and Neeraj, 26, come from a region that was once part of undivided Punjab before the partition. Their remarkable performances have firmly established South Asia as a new powerhouse in the men’s javelin event. This is the first time in Olympic history that the top two positions in this discipline have been claimed by athletes from Asia, specifically the South Asian region.

On Friday evening, Nadeem etched his name into Olympic history by setting a new Olympic record with a throw of 92.97 meters, earning Pakistan its first Olympic medal in 32 years. The last time Pakistan won an Olympic medal was in 1992 at the Barcelona Olympics, where they clinched a bronze in men’s hockey. The last gold was in hockey at the 1984 Olympics. Nadeem's victory is seen as a monumental step towards rejuvenating Pakistan's Olympic movement, especially as the country was represented by only seven athletes in Paris.

Neeraj, with a throw of 89.45 meters, secured silver, becoming India’s most decorated athlete in individual Olympic disciplines.

Last year, at the World Championships, Neeraj won gold while Nadeem took silver.

The bond between these two athletes extends beyond competition. During the Tokyo Olympics, Nadeem made headlines when he used Neeraj’s javelin to become the first Pakistani to qualify for the finals of an athletics event at the Olympics. Both athletes advocate for brotherhood and unity on both sides of the Radcliffe Line, showcasing a spirit of sportsmanship that transcends borders.

"I am happy for Nadeem that he has won gold in Paris. He is also like my child," said Neeraj’s mother while speaking to the media after the event.