Ahmed Gamal El Din (Paris)
Basheerat Khorudi, a player in our national judo team, bid farewell to the Olympic Games hosted by the French capital, Paris, after she was eliminated from the round of 16 and lost to German Macha Ballhaus, the bronze medalist in the World Championships in Abu Dhabi 2024, after defeating her Chinese counterpart, Zhou Balibun, in the first match in the round of 32.
Narmand Bayan, a player in our national judo team, ended his participation in the tournament by losing to the veteran South Korean player, An Paul, in the round of 32 in the under 66 kg weight class, while Maha Al Shehhi, a swimmer in our national team, concluded her journey in the tournament in 28th place in the 200-meter freestyle race in the overall ranking of the four rounds with a time of 2:17.17 minutes.
Maha Al Shehhi, our national team swimmer, expressed her happiness at her first appearance in the Olympic Games by competing in the 200-meter freestyle race, with the participation of an elite group of swimmers who hold world and Olympic records, stressing that this experience will only increase her determination to intensify efforts and try to improve the time records in all upcoming competitions, while striving to return once again to participate in this major tournament, which represents a turning point in the life of any male and female athlete.
Maha Al Shehhi pointed out that she was able to break her previous personal record (2:17.37) by 20 hundredths of a second, despite the strong level of participation and the spotlight on the event from all international media outlets, which requires double focus on the course of the competitions. However, the participation itself and presence in this session remains one of the greatest gains in her sports career.
On the other hand, Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Vice President of the National Olympic Committee and Head of the UAE delegation participating in the Paris Olympic Games, received Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, at the opening ceremony of the UAE Olympic House in Paris, in the presence of Her Excellency Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State, Faris Al Mutawa, Secretary-General of the National Olympic Committee, Ghanem Mubarak Al Hajri, Director-General of the General Sports Authority, and a number of public and sports figures.
Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi also received Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, and Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed Al Zubair, President of the Oman Olympic Committee, and the two accompanying delegations.
Unique experiences
Visiting delegations to the UAE Olympic House were introduced to a range of unique experiences on a journey into the depths of Emirati culture through 8 interactive spaces, with the possibility of exploring a hand-painted mural, consisting of 18 frames, inspired by the popular house, which is a distinctive part of the urban heritage of the UAE.
Second appearance tomorrow
The UAE delegation will continue its participation in the Paris Olympic Games tomorrow through the participation of Yousef Al Matrooshi in the 100-meter freestyle race, in addition to the participation of Talal Shafeli, a player in our national judo team, in the under-81 kg weight competitions, during which he will meet the Puerto Rican champion, Jandia Adrian, in the preliminary round competitions.
Ahmed Belhoul: “The first station” on the road to the “National Sports Strategy 2031”
His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, Vice President of the National Olympic Committee, and Chairman of the Executive Office, stressed that the athletes representing the UAE in the Summer Olympic Games in Paris are the best ambassadors for their country, whether in terms of fair sporting competition at the highest levels with their counterparts from all over the world, or in terms of presenting an honorable image of Emirati youth and their representation of the Olympic spirit of peace and coexistence.
Al Falasi pointed out that the UAE mission carries the ambition and passion to achieve the Olympic dream of presenting the UAE with the third Olympic medal in its history, so that the flag of the country is raised high and fluttering in this global event, stressing the keenness of every Emirati Olympic athlete to provide distinguished performances and achieve the best results, which reflects the development of the national sports sector and consolidates its presence on the global sports map. His Excellency pointed out that this participation represents the first step towards implementing the objectives of the National Sports Strategy 2031, which aims to qualify more than 30 athletes for the Olympic Games by focusing on developing sports talents and achieving success in elite professional sports, and providing the necessary support to elite athletes and priority sports federations, in addition to paying attention to school games and highlighting their outcomes to build a solid base of male and female athletes capable of competing and achieving victories in global competitions.
Yousef Mirza: Safia Al-Sayegh’s preparations for the competitions are complete
Yousef Mirza, the coach of our national cycling team, confirmed that the preparations of Safia Al Sayegh, a player in the national team, were carried out throughout the past stage in full swing, with a high level of efficiency and focus, after the player showed her commitment in the camp that preceded the Olympic Games by 45 days, during which she reached advanced technical levels, and interacted with many players from different countries of the world.
“Safiya Al Sayegh’s preparation plan went through several stages, at the level of official participation and camps. The player’s training sessions have recently doubled, especially after she officially qualified for the Paris Olympics by being ranked 45th in the world rankings, which will put her at her best when competing in the women’s road race, which witnesses the participation of 91 players from the strongest teams, such as the 41-year-old Dutchwoman Van Vleuten, who won the individual time trial gold and the road race silver at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and other distinguished players,” he added.
Mirza pointed out that the road race requires a high degree of physical and mental fitness, given that it goes through many stages, which include different heights. He said: “The women’s road race is 158 km long, as the track includes different areas of the suburbs of Paris, and includes a group of heights reaching 1800 meters. We are fully confident in the performance of the player Safia Al Sayegh, who was able to qualify for the Olympic Games as the first female athlete in cycling, which makes us all happy and makes all the technical and administrative teams double their efforts to benefit from this important presence that is happening for the first time. We wish success in this great mission in the name of the nation. Since our arrival in Paris on July 22, we have started training on the race track, attending all technical meetings, and making sure not to leave any information that helps us move forward with participation and appear in the desired image.”
sfarsit articol
Ahmed Gamal El Din (Paris)
Basheerat Khorudi, a member of our national judo team, concluded her participation in the Olympic Games held in the French capital, Paris, after being eliminated in the round of 16 by German athlete Macha Ballhaus, the bronze medalist from the 2024 World Championships in Abu Dhabi. Khorudi had previously won against her Chinese opponent, Zhou Balibun, in the first match of the round of 32.
Narmand Bayan, another member of our national judo team, ended his tournament journey after losing to the veteran South Korean competitor, An Paul, in the round of 32 in the under 66 kg weight category. Meanwhile, swimmer Maha Al Shehhi concluded her participation by finishing in 28th place in the 200-meter freestyle event, with an overall time of 2:17.17 minutes across the four rounds.
Maha Al Shehhi expressed her joy at her first Olympic appearance during the 200-meter freestyle race, which saw the participation of elite swimmers holding world and Olympic records. She emphasized that this experience would only strengthen her determination to enhance her performance and improve her timings in future competitions, while also aspiring to return to this significant tournament, which is a pivotal moment in any athlete’s career.
She further noted that she was able to surpass her previous personal record (2:17.37) by 20 hundredths of a second, despite the high level of competition and the intense media coverage on the event, which required a heightened focus during the competitions. Nevertheless, simply participating and being present at this event remains one of her greatest achievements in her sports career.
On a different note, Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Vice President of the National Olympic Committee and head of the UAE delegation at the Paris Olympic Games, welcomed Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, at the inauguration ceremony of the UAE Olympic House in Paris. This event was attended by Her Excellency Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State, Faris Al Mutawa, Secretary-General of the National Olympic Committee, Ghanem Mubarak Al Hajri, Director-General of the General Sports Authority, along with various public and sports figures.
Sheikh Rashid also welcomed Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, and Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed Al Zubair, President of the Oman Olympic Committee, along with their respective delegations.
Unique experiences
Visitors to the UAE Olympic House were introduced to a range of unique experiences that delved into the depths of Emirati culture through eight interactive spaces. Guests also had the opportunity to explore a hand-painted mural composed of 18 frames, inspired by traditional Emirati architecture, which is a significant aspect of the UAE’s urban heritage.
Second appearance tomorrow
The UAE delegation will continue its participation in the Paris Olympic Games tomorrow with Yousef Al Matrooshi competing in the 100-meter freestyle event and Talal Shafeli, a member of our national judo team, competing in the under-81 kg division. He will face the Puerto Rican champion, Jandia Adrian, in the preliminary rounds.
Ahmed Belhoul: “The first station” on the road to the “National Sports Strategy 2031”
His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, Vice President of the National Olympic Committee, and Chairman of the Executive Office, emphasized that the athletes representing the UAE in the Summer Olympic Games in Paris are exemplary ambassadors for their nation. This is evident in both their commitment to fair competition at elite levels with counterparts from around the world and in presenting a commendable image of Emirati youth, embodying the Olympic spirit of peace and coexistence.
Al Falasi pointed out that the UAE mission carries the ambition to achieve the Olympic goal of securing the country’s third Olympic medal in history, allowing the national flag to be raised proudly during this global event. He stressed that every Emirati Olympic athlete is keen to deliver outstanding performances and achieve the best results, showcasing the growth of the national sports sector and reinforcing its presence on the global sports stage. His Excellency remarked that this participation signifies the first step toward realizing the objectives of the National Sports Strategy 2031, which aims to qualify over 30 athletes for the Olympic Games by focusing on developing sports talent and succeeding in elite professional sports. This includes providing essential support to top athletes and priority sports federations, as well as emphasizing school sports and the subsequent outcomes to build a strong foundation of male and female athletes capable of competing and winning in global championships.
Yousef Mirza: Safia Al-Sayegh’s preparations for the competitions are complete
Yousef Mirza, the coach of our national cycling team, confirmed that Safia Al Sayegh, a member of the national cycling team, underwent thorough preparation throughout the preceding stages with high levels of efficiency and focus. He highlighted that the athlete demonstrated great commitment during a camp that took place 45 days prior to the Olympics, which enabled her to reach advanced technical levels and interact with several athletes from various countries.
Mirza stated, “Safiya Al Sayegh’s training plan underwent several phases, involving official participation and camps. Recently, the intensity of her training sessions has increased, especially after she officially qualified for the Paris Olympics by securing 45th place in the world rankings. This will put her in an excellent position for the women’s road race, which features 91 competitors from top teams including the legendary 41-year-old Dutch cyclist Van Vleuten, who won gold in the individual time trial and silver in the road race at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, among other distinguished athletes.”
Mirza also noted that the road race demands a high level of physical and mental conditioning, as it encompasses various stages with differing elevations. He explained, “The women’s road race spans 158 km, covering various areas around Paris, including tough heights of up to 1800 meters. We have complete confidence in Safia Al Sayegh’s performance, who made history as the first female athlete to qualify for the Olympic Games in cycling, a feat that brings us pride and drives our technical and administrative teams to enhance their efforts in maximizing the benefits of this crucial participation, which is happening for the first time. We wish her success in this significant challenge on behalf of our nation. Since our arrival in Paris on July 22, we have been training on the racecourse, attending all technical meetings, and ensuring no information is overlooked that could aid us in our participation and achieving our goals.”
UAE Athletes’ Journey at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
Highlights from Judo Competitions
Ahmed Gamal El Din in Paris reports that Basheerat Khorudi, a notable member of the UAE national judo team, faced an emotional exit from the Olympic Games after losing in the round of 16. Khorudi was defeated by Macha Ballhaus of Germany, who previously clinched a bronze medal at the World Championships in Abu Dhabi in 2024. In her initial match in the round of 32, Khorudi showcased her skills by defeating Zhou Balibun from China.
Another judo contender, Narmand Bayan, faced a challenging round, bowing out in the under 66 kg weight class against the seasoned South Korean athlete, An Paul, during the round of 32. The journey of these athletes highlights the competitive nature of the Olympics and the dedication required to compete at this level.
Maha Al Shehhi’s Swimming Experience
In the swimming events, Maha Al Shehhi concluded her Olympic journey with a commendable 28th place finish in the 200-meter freestyle. Clocking in at 2:17.17 minutes, she surpassed her previous personal record of 2:17.37 by 20 hundredths of a second. Expressing her excitement about her Olympic debut, Al Shehhi emphasized the importance of this experience for her future endeavors.
- Personal Achievement: Breaking her personal record against top-tier competition.
- Determination: Al Shehhi is motivated to enhance her performance in upcoming competitions.
UAE’s Diplomatic Presence at the Games
Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, the Vice President of the National Olympic Committee, played a vital role at the opening ceremony of the UAE Olympic House, welcoming other dignitaries such as Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee. The event was graced by significant figures like Her Excellency Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State, and others from various sports authorities.
Engagement in Emirati Culture
The UAE Olympic House also provided visiting delegations with unique experiences, showcasing the rich Emirati culture through eight interactive spaces and a hand-painted mural that gives insight into the architectural heritage of the UAE.
Upcoming Events and Competitions
The UAE delegation continues its spirited participation in the Games. Tomorrow, Yousef Al Matrooshi will compete in the 100-meter freestyle event, while Talal Shafeli prepares to face Jandia Adrian from Puerto Rico in the under 81 kg judo category. The anticipation surrounding these athletes is palpable as they prepare to leave their mark in Paris.
Vision for Future Success
Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi’s Statement
His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, highlighted that the UAE athletes are ambassadors of their nation, embodying the Olympic spirit of peace. He expressed optimism about achieving the UAE’s third Olympic medal in history during this event, stating,
“Our athletes will demonstrate the dedication and hard work that our national sports sector embodies.”
Objectives of the National Sports Strategy 2031
This Olympic participation marks the beginning of achieving the goals set forth in the National Sports Strategy 2031. The strategy aims to qualify over 30 athletes for the Olympic Games by promoting sports talents and supporting elite athletes.
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Focus Areas:
- Developing elite talent.
- Supporting priority sports federations.
- Enhancing school sports programs.
Cycling Preparations by the UAE Team
Safia Al Sayegh’s Journey
Coach Yousef Mirza reported thorough preparations for Safia Al Sayegh, a member of the national cycling team, leading up to her debut at the Olympics. With training camps and participation in intensive preparation sessions, Al Sayegh’s commitment is exemplary.
Her performance in the women’s road race will be keenly observed, as she competes against world-class athletes, including the accomplished Dutch cyclist, Van Vleuten.
Key Aspects of the Road Race
- Distance: 158 km road race.
- Elevation: The course features heights reaching 1800 meters.
- Competitors: Over 90 top cyclists from around the world.
Takeaways from the Olympic Experience
The participation of these UAE athletes in the Paris 2024 Olympics exemplifies the country’s commitment to sports and international representation. Each athlete’s story, from Khorudi’s judo performance to Al Shehhi’s swimming debut and Al Sayegh’s cycling preparations, emphasizes the hard work and dedication synonymous with the UAE’s national sports strategy. This multi-faceted journey reflects not only on athletic achievement but also on the rich tapestry of Emirati culture shared on an international stage.
