The Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) on Tuesday said star javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem was unable to participate in the Asian Games due to a chronic injury.
The announcement came as the athlete was scheduled to appear in the men’s javelin throw finals on Wednesday evening.
A statement by Pakistan’s chef de mission released by POA said that Arshad complained of pain in his knees after the first session in Hangzhou.
“After arrival at Hangzhou at the first training session on 27th September 2023, Mr Arshad Nadeem revealed and complained to Dr Asad Abbas, who was accompanying him, that he had been grappling with persistent pain for several months, a concern that has become particularly pressing in the aftermath of the World Athletics Championship,” the statement said.
“On 2nd October, he again complained of pain in the right knee and expressed a desire to undergo an evaluation. The chief medical officer of the Pakistan contingent recommended a comprehensive check-up.”
After this, Nadeem underwent a medical examination, including a non-invasive test i.e. magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at a hospital in Hangzhou, which revealed a long-standing injury.
