Pakistan’s contingent for the upcoming Olympic Games was announced on Saturday, with as few as seven athletes named to represent the country in Paris. The 18-member contingent includes 11 officials who will accompany the athletes for the Games, which start on July 26.
Among the seven athletes, javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem is Pakistan’s only gold-medal hope. The other athletes who have qualified for their respective events are shooters Ghulam Mustafa Bashir (25m Rapid Fire Pistol), Gulfam Joseph (10m Air Pistol, 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team), and Kishmala Talat (10m Air Pistol, 25m Pistol, 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team).
Additionally, Faiqa Riaz (Universality Place, athlete, 100m race), Mohammad Ahmed Durrani (200m Freestyle, Universality Place), and Jahanara Nabi (200m Freestyle, Universality Place) are included as wildcard entries.
Arshad Nadeem and Jahanara Nabi have been chosen as the flagbearers for the national contingent at the Games’ opening ceremony.
The contingent’s 11 officials include six designated contingent officials such as the chef de mission, deputy chef de mission, and an admin officer. Other officials are Dr. Syed Meesaq Hussain Rizvi (chief medical officer), Kashif Jameel (NOC Olympic Attaché), and Rizwan Ahmed (welfare officer), along with coaches and managers for the athletes.
Pakistan did not qualify for any other disciplines, including hockey, wrestling, boxing, weightlifting, and volleyball.
The departures for Paris are scheduled from July 19 to July 24, with return arrangements set for after the conclusion of respective events.