ISLAMABAD: The French embassy hosted a reception Monday night to honour Pakistan’s Olympic squad as they prepare to leave for Paris to participate in the 33rd Olympic Games, scheduled from July 26 to August 11.

“As part of the Paris 2024 Games, I would like to wish the best of luck to the eight to 10 Pakistani athletes,” said French ambassador Nicolas Galey.

Held at the French embassy, the event was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination, Pakistan Sports Board, Pakistan Olympic Association and the National Paralympics Committee of Pakistan, besides Olympic and Paralympic athletes and members of the sporting community and diplomats.

The gathering celebrated the forthcoming Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, which will commence in exactly 17 days.

Pakistani athletes set to participate included Ghulam Mustafa Bashir (shooting, 25 metres rapid fire pistol), Gulfam Joseph (shooting, 10 metres air pistol and 10 metres air pistol mixed), Faiqa Riaz (sprint 100 metres), Jehanara Nabi (200 metres freestyle swimming) and Mohammad Ahmed Durrani (200 metres freestyle swimming).

Kishmala Talat, a potential contender for Pakistan’s first Olympic medal in the 10 and 25 metres pistol shooting competition, is also part of the squad.

The 22-year-old athlete, who started shooting as a hobby, has won a bronze medal at the Asian Games and a silver medal at the Asian Championships.

“Practice is tough – gym, meditation, and spending several hours on the shooting range,” said Talat, who expressed gratitude to her parents for their support.

Since 2015, she has competed in National Games, securing 25 gold medals with 15 national records, alongside 11 to 12 silver and bronze medals.

Gulfam Joseph, 25, representing the Army Marksmanship Unit, will also compete in shooting events. Speaking to Dawn, Joseph mentioned that he had fine-tuned his techniques for the upcoming competition.

Pakistan will also be represented in Discus Throw by Haider Ali and Javelin Throw by Arshad Nadeem, both multi-medalists at various competitions.

Additionally, Kiran Rafiq (sprint 100 metres) and Nabeel Iqbal (powerlifting) are awaiting slot confirmations for likely participation in the games.

Haider Ali told Dawn that this was his fifth Paralympics. He won a gold medal in Tokyo Paralympics, silver in Beijing Paralympics and bronze in Rio de Janeiro. Haider Ali said he would use his experience coupled with improved techniques to make his mark.

“I also think of their coaches, the support staff, and the whole team of the Pakistan Olympic Association and National Paralympic Committee, who must be proud and congratulated for their dedication on the eve of this great moment for all of you,” Ambassador Nicolas Galey said.

Mr Galey said the summer sporting competition would not be complete without the Paralympic Games, the 27th edition of which would take place from August 28 to September 8, featuring 91 nations competing in 22 disciplines.

The envoy informed his guests that this year, the flame was lit in Olympia on May 8, and arrived in France on a historic sailboat. It would travel across France, reaching Paris for the opening ceremony on July 26, which would be held on the Seine River.

Published in Dawn, July 10th, 2024