Olympic medalist, Arshad Nadeem, has decided to pull out of the upcoming World Athletics Continental Tour Silver Event in Switzerland, which is set for July 15. The javelin thrower, who made history by winning Pakistan’s first ever Olympic medal in athletics, said the decision was due to a minor calf muscle injury he experienced during training in Pakistan.
“I have skipped the event in Switzerland,” Nadeem confirmed. “I’ll now be heading to London on July 14 for focused training. I felt tightness in my calf muscle, and I didn’t want to risk making it worse.”
Arshad Nadeem, who was aiming to use the event in Switzerland as part of his preparations for the World Athletics Championships in September and the Paris Olympics in 2024, explained that his long-term goals are his top priority.
“I’ve made this decision with my future competitions in mind,” he said. After missing out on Switzerland, his next big target will be the Diamond League in Poland on August 16, followed by the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this September.
Extreme weather conditions: A hindrance to training for Arshad Nadeem
The 28-year-old explained that the extreme weather events in Pakistan was also a factor in his decision to train in the UK. “It’s really hot in Pakistan right now, and with the monsoon season starting, training conditions are tough,” Nadeem shared. “In England, the weather is better, which will help me train and recover properly.”
Nadeem will be joined by his coach Salman Iqbal Butt for the training camp in London. His primary focus now is on preparing for the upcoming World Championships, where he along with the Pakistani nation hopes to match or even improve on his previous performances.
With the Paris Olympics next year, staying fit and reaching peak form at the right time is crucial for the Olympian. This focused training period is key for Pakistan’s only medal hope in the upcoming mega Olympic Games.
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