Islamabad, Pakistan – When Arshad Nadeem, Pakistan’s first Olympic gold medallist in 40 years, arrived at Lahore airport early on August 10, he was met by a raucous crowd of thousands, chanting his name and waving the Pakistani flag.
The 27-year-old athlete was accompanied by a large convoy of people playing drums and dancing on the drive home to his village near the small city of Mian Channu in Punjab province. Once there, residents welcomed him by throwing rose petals, and his father garlanded him with flowers.
