LAHORE: Only seven athletes were named in Pakistan’s contingent for the upcoming Paris Olympics, scheduled to commence on July 26.
The 18-member contingent, announced by the Pakistan Olympics Association (POA) on Saturday, features 11 officials who will travel with the seven athletes to Paris for the Games and will return to the country upon completion of their respective competitions.
Pakistan will compete in shooting, athletics and swimming in the Paris Olympics. Out of the seven athletes four of them earned direct qualification while sprinter Faiqa Riaz and swimmers Jehanara Nabi and Mohammad Ahmed Durrani will feature in the biggest sporting event on the basis of the universality places.
Meanwhile, star javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem and swimmer Jehanara Nabi have been chosen as Pakistan’s contingent flag-bearers for the prestigious event.
Among the 11 officials, six are the officials of the contingent, including the chef de mission, deputy chef de mission and an admin officer.
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Four more officials include Dr Syed Meesaq Hussain Rizvi (chief medical officer), Kashif Jameel (NOC Olympic Attaché ), Rizwan Ahmed (welfare officer) while the rest are either athletes’ coaches or managers.
For the unversed, Pakistan failed to qualify for major disciplines like Hockey, Wrestling, Volleyball, Boxing and Weightlifting.
Pakistan’s contingent for the Games will depart for Paris on July 19.
Pakistan contingent for Paris Olympics:
Athletics: Arshad Nadeem, Faiqa Riaz, Salman Iqbal Butt (support staff), Dr. Ali Sher Bajwa (support staff).
Swimming: Mohammad Ahmed Durrani, Jehanara Nabi, Lt Col (retired) Ahmed Ali Khan (support staff).
Shooting: Ghulam Mustafa Bashir, Gulfam Joseph, Kishmala Talat), Col Junaid Ali (support staff), Gennady Solodovnikov (support staff).
Contingent officials: Mohammad Shafiq (chef de mission), Javaid Shamshad Lodhi (deputy chef de mission); Zainab Shaukat (admin officer).