LAHORE – July 10, 2025: Pakistan’s Olympic gold medalist Arshad Nadeem has officially withdrawn from the upcoming athletics competition in Switzerland, originally set for July 15. The javelin thrower cited a minor muscle strain in his right shin and unfavorable training conditions in Pakistan as key reasons behind the decision.
Arshad told media that he will now travel directly to England on July 14 for an intensive training camp. “I’ve missed the Switzerland event,” he said. “Now, I’m fully focused on preparing for the Diamond League in Poland on August 16, followed by the World Athletics Championship in Tokyo this September.” He emphasized that both events are crucial for his 2025 season.
The athlete explained that training in Pakistan had become difficult due to extreme summer heat and ongoing monsoon rains, which made recovery harder and increased the risk of injury. “I felt tightness in my shin during training. I don’t want to take chances this close to the World Championship,” Arshad said. His coach Salman Iqbal Butt will accompany him to London to monitor his recovery and performance.
According to Arshad, England offers a better training environment, with moderate weather, improved recovery conditions, and access to quality facilities. “Training in the right environment makes a big difference. This plan gives me the best chance to stay injury-free and peak at the right time,” he added.
Currently ranked fourth in the world in javelin throw, Arshad had been scheduled to compete in the World Athletics Silver Tour in Switzerland. His team believes skipping the event is a smart and strategic move to ensure top performance in bigger competitions ahead, especially Tokyo 2025, where he hopes to bring home another medal for Pakistan.