Pakistan’s Olympic hero Arshad Nadeem has decided to withdraw from the upcoming World Athletics Continental Tour Silver Event in Switzerland, scheduled for July 15, citing a minor injury scare.
Arshad Nadeem, who was expected to return to action in Switzerland as part of his build-up to the World Athletics Championships in September this year and the Paris Olympics, confirmed that he will now head directly to the United Kingdom for a focused training stint instead.
“I have skipped the event in Switzerland,” Arshad Nadeem said. “I’ll now be heading to London on July 14 for training. During my recent sessions here, I experienced tightness in my calf muscle, and I didn’t want to risk aggravating it. That’s why I decided to withdraw.”
Arshad Nadeem, who made history by becoming Pakistan’s first-ever Olympic medalist in athletics, emphasized that the decision was made with long-term goals in mind. With the World Athletics Continental Tour Event behind him, his next target is the Diamond League meet in Poland on August 16, followed by the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this September.
He also explained that his decision to train in England was due to the weather in Pakistan.
“The weather in Pakistan is very hot, and with the monsoon season starting, training conditions have become quite difficult,” he added. “In England, the climate is more suitable, and I’ll be able to train better and recover properly.”
The star javelin thrower will be accompanied by his coach Salman Iqbal Butt during the training camp in England. Arshad Nadeem underlined that his full focus is now on preparing for the marquee events ahead, particularly the World Championships, where he hopes to replicate or even surpass his medal-winning performances.
With the Paris Olympics just over a year away, every decision counts, and for Pakistan’s only medal hope in the mega event, staying fit and peaking at the right time is the top priority.
