Pakistan’s star Javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem and swimmer Jehanara Nabi have been selected as the flag-bearers for Pakistan at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics on July 26. This announcement was made by the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) on Saturday.
Arshad, who is regarded as Pakistan’s main medal hope, is currently training in Lahore to end the country’s 32-year medal drought at the Summer Games. Despite the honor of being a flag-bearer, his primary focus remains on winning a medal for Pakistan.
“I’m very excited to be the flag-bearer at the Opening Ceremony of the Paris Olympics, but my main goal is the medal,” Arshad shared with this correspondent in a brief conversation after the announcement. “I am focusing on my target, hoping that Allah grants us success and that we earn respect on this global stage. Inshallah, if we win the medal, the world will see. My training is ongoing, and it is going well.”
The POA also announced the list of members in the contingent, which includes seven athletes competing in athletics, shooting, and swimming events.
In athletics, Arshad will compete in the javelin throw, accompanied by Faiqa Ria in the 100 meters. They will be supported by coach Salman Iqbal Butt and Dr. Ali Sheh Bajwa, who has been treating Arshad’s injuries since 2021.
In swimming, Muhammad Ahmed Durrani will compete in the 200-meter freestyle, while Jehanara Nabi will participate in the 200-meter freestyle women’s event. Lt Col (R) Ahmed Ali Khan will be their support personnel.
In shooting, Ghulam Mustafa Bashir, who directly qualified for the 25m Rapid Fire Pistol event, Gulfam Joseph for the 10m Air Pistol and 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team, and Kishmala Talat for the 10m Air Pistol, 25m Pistol, and 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team will find support through Col Junaid Ali and coach Gennady Solodovnikov.
Other contingent officials include Muhammad Shafiq as the Chef de Mission (CDM), Javaid Shamshad Lodhi as the Deputy CDM, and Zainab Shaukat as the Admin Official. Special appointments from the International Olympic Committee as certified personnel and the Embassy of Pakistan in France will include Syed Meesaq Hussain Rizvi, OLY – Chief Medical Officer, Kashif Jameel as the NOC Olympic Attaché (Head of Chancery, Embassy of Pakistan in France), and Rizwan Ahmed as the Welfare Officer (IOC certified Safeguarding Officer in Sports).
The athletes and team officials will depart in various groups from July 19 to July 24 and will return in different groups after the conclusion of their competitions.