Pakistan’s star javelin thrower and Olympic medalist Arshad Nadeem has pulled out of the upcoming World Athletics Continental Tour Silver event in Switzerland, scheduled for July 15, due to a minor calf injury concern.
Arshad was initially set to return to competition in Switzerland as part of his preparation for the World Athletics Championships in September and the Paris Olympics. However, he confirmed that he will instead head straight to the United Kingdom for a specialized training camp.
Read more: Arshad Nadeem Returns Home After Defending Javelin Title
“I’ve decided not to participate in the Switzerland event,” Arshad said. “I’ll be travelling to London on July 14 for training. I felt some tightness in my calf during recent sessions and didn’t want to risk a more serious injury. It’s better to rest now and stay focused on bigger goals.”
Arshad Nadeem, who earned historic recognition by becoming the first Pakistani athlete to win an Olympic medal in athletics, stressed that the decision was made to protect his long-term performance and health. His next major event will be the Diamond League in Poland on August 16, followed by the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
He also noted that the intense heat and incoming monsoon in Pakistan were making training increasingly difficult. “The weather conditions here are harsh. Training in England will allow for a better recovery environment and optimal preparation,” he added.
Arshad will be joined in the UK by his coach, Salman Iqbal Butt, for the training stint. He highlighted that all his energy is now geared toward delivering peak performances at key upcoming events, particularly the World Championships and the 2026 Olympics.
With the Olympics just over a year away, Arshad Nadeem is Pakistan’s most promising medal hope, and his strategic withdrawal from the Swiss event signals a cautious yet determined approach to achieving international success.
