Saudi Arabia prepares for their 13th Olympic appearance in Paris

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

Report by Hussain Almaskati

Saudi Arabia is set to participate in its 13th Summer Olympic Games, marking a significant moment in the nation’s sports history.

From July 26 to August 11, seven Saudi athletes will compete in show jumping, taekwondo, shot put, and pole vault in Paris.

The Saudi Olympic squad includes four show jumpers: Ramzi Al-Dahami, Abdullah Al-Sharbatly, Abdul Rahman Al-Rajhi, and Khaled Al-Mabti, who secured their spot by winning first Taekwondo - Donia Abu Taleb, competing in the 49 kg category, is Saudi Arabia’s sole female athlete in this Olympics. Ranked world No. 4, she earned her place through the Asian Olympic qualifiers.

Her achievements include bronze medals at the 2022 Asian and World Championships. Shot Put - Mohammed Tolu set a new Asian record with a throw of 21.80 meters in Madrid, making him a strong medal contender. He previously won silver at the Asian Games in Hangzhou.

Pole Vault - Hussain AlHizam, who qualified with a 5.62-meter jump in Poznan, Poland, is another athlete to watch.

Al-Hizam has a history of success, including bronze at the 19th Asian Games and gold at the 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games. Habib Al-Amin, Executive Director of the Saudi Arabian Athletics Federation, and Shaddad Al-Omari, President of the Saudi Taekwondo Federation, praised the athletes’ dedication and the support from the Saudi Olympic & Paralympic Committee.

Al-Omari, speaking from Antalya, Turkey, emphasized the tough competition ahead but expressed confidence in Abu Taleb’s ability to compete for a medal.

Saudi Arabia has a rich Olympic history, first competing in the Summer Games in Munich in 1972. The Kingdom has since won medals in track and field and show jumping, and its athletes continue to strive for excellence on the global stage.