Olympics 2024: Pakistan Athletes unable to find space for Training, demand High Performance Centre

The Paris Olympics is just around the corner and the Indian athletes are gearing up in full fledge for the showdown. Many athletes have started training in Europe while a few have already reached Paris for the final lap of preparation.

But the same can't be said about the athletes on the other side of the border in the West. The Pakistani athletes are finding things difficult in their own country and have complained about the lack of infrastructure ahead of the Olympics 2024.

Arshad Nadeem struggling for Practice

Arshad Nadeem is the best bet for Pakistan to win a medal in the Olympics. The Javelin thrower has emerged as one of the best and can be tipped for a shot at the medal. But he has been struggling with space shortage for practice at the Lahore Stadium.

Due to Summer camp taking place at the stadium, Nadeem hasn't been able to take his throws. The practice was hindered as people were present across the ground. Hence the player had to first find a space for practice so that his Javelin didn't hurt any person.

"Pakistan doesn't have proper athletic grounds. If a proper ground is made for us, then it will be a huge relief for athletes in Pakistan," Nadeem said to Geo Super.

Faiqa Riaz preparing without Coach

Another star runner Faiqa Riaz, who will take part in the Women's 100 m sprint, has also faced similar issues. She also cited her struggles in preparing without her coach. The problem has been prevalent among all athletes due to lack of high-performance training centres in Pakistan.

Pakistan will have only seven representatives in the Olympics 2024. In the history of the event, Pakistan has managed only 10 medals, the last of which came in the 1992 Olympics. Hussain Shah was Pakistan's last individual medalist back in the 1988 Olympics, when he won Bronze in Boxing.