Olympic javelin gold medalist Arshad Nadeem’s Independence Day message took an unexpected turn when a viral video revealed a snoring sound in the background. The athlete, who won Pakistan’s first Olympic gold in 40 years, had posted a message on Instagram urging unity on August 14th. However, it was the audible snoring that captured the attention of viewers, quickly spreading across social media platforms.
Nadeem, recognizing the humorous (and perhaps embarrassing) situation, promptly deleted the original video and uploaded a fresh version with no background sound. The change was noticeable not only in the audio but also in other aspects of the videos. The tone of his message differed, as did the pauses between sentences. Even his pronunciation of the word “Nezeh” (referring to a pledge) differed slightly between the two versions.
It was clear that Nadeem had chosen to eliminate the snoring sound after facing online ridicule. The original video, though meant to be a heartfelt message of unity, was met with amusement rather than the intended emotional response. Comments like “Background score missing, sir. #snore 😂” flooded the original video, highlighting the stark contrast between Nadeem’s serious message and the humorous snoring audio.
In the video, Arshad Nadeem, the Olympic gold medalist, spoke about the importance of unity, saying, “On Pakistan’s Independence Day, I appeal to the people of Pakistan to take a pledge that we stay united. Like how on August 8th, after I bagged gold at the Paris Olympics, we witnessed a wave of joy not only in Pakistan but among Pakistanis worldwide. I wish you stand by me and, like how I have changed my profile pictures on social media for August 14th, stating ‘United we stand,’ I want all of you to stand with me and change your profile pictures. Let’s show the world that ‘United we stand.’”
This incident serves as a reminder that even athletes at the highest level are not immune to the sometimes unpredictable nature of social media. Arshad Nadeem’s story, while amusing, also highlights the importance of considering the potential impact of online content and the swiftness with which it can spread.
On August 8th, Arshad Nadeem achieved a historic victory for Pakistan, winning gold in the men’s javelin at the Paris Olympics. His 92.97m throw in the second round set a new benchmark, leaving behind India’s Neeraj Chopra (silver) and Grenada’s Anderson Peters (bronze).
Following this achievement, Nadeem was showered with accolades and financial rewards. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a 150 million rupee ($538,000) reward for Nadeem, while Punjab’s Chief Minister Mariam Nawaz presented him with a 100 million rupee ($359,000) check. This public recognition and financial reward solidified Nadeem’s place as a national hero, further emphasizing the significance of his Olympic victory.
