New Delhi, April 13, 2025: In a rare and heartening gesture of sportsmanship, India’s official Olympic Instagram account has paid tribute to Pakistani javelin star Arshad Nadeem, lauding his remarkable journey from heartbreak to Olympic gold.
The tribute, shared in the form of a motivational video, chronicles Nadeem’s evolution from his performance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics (held in 2021) to his historic triumph at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he clinched gold with a record-breaking throw of 92.97 metres, defeating India’s own Neeraj Chopra.
Accompanied by the inspiring quote, “Why do we fall? So that we can learn to pick ourselves up,” the video highlights the emotional and physical hurdles Nadeem faced in the years leading up to his Paris glory. The footage transitions from a visibly dejected Nadeem at Tokyo—where he made it to the finals but missed out on a medal—to his victorious, tear-filled celebration on the podium in Paris.
The post has resonated widely across the sporting community, particularly given the intense athletic rivalry between Nadeem and Chopra, who won India’s first Olympic gold in athletics with a throw of 87.58m at Tokyo.
What makes Nadeem’s journey even more compelling, and perhaps the reason for such admiration across borders, is his persistence in the face of adversity. The Pakistani athlete trained without basic facilities, lacked sponsorship, and prepared for Tokyo on makeshift grounds. Despite receiving offers from foreign countries to switch allegiance, he remained committed to Pakistan—ultimately bringing home the country’s first Olympic gold in athletics.
The Indian Olympic account’s acknowledgment of Nadeem’s struggle and success is being seen as a powerful moment of unity through sport—transcending national rivalries and celebrating the universal values of determination, perseverance, and excellence.
