(MENAFN- The Peninsula)
Marivie Alabanza
|
The Peninsula
Doha, Qatar: As the Paris 2024 olympics approaches, over 200 countries are preparing to send around 10,500 athletes to one of the world's largest sporting events. Among them are 14 athletes from Qatar, all aiming for glory and national pride.
The 33rd edition of the Games will feature 329 events across 32 sports, to be held at 35 venues over 17 days, from July 26 to August 11. This marks Qatar's 11th appearance at the Summer Olympics.
Here are the athletes representing Team Qatar. Let's cheer them on as they strive to make the country proud!
. Athletics
Mutaz Essa Barshim (High Jump)
Mutaz Barshim, the reigning Olympic champion and holder of the second-highest jump in history (2.43m), is set to lead Qatar's medal hopes at this year's Olympic Games. The 33-year-old high jump sensation has not only achieved incredible heights in his sport but has also inspired generations with his sportsmanship.
Barshim is the first Asian athlete to win three Olympic medals in athletics, earning silvers in London (2012) and Rio (2016). At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, he shared the gold award with his Italian friend and opponent Gianmarco Tamberi-a moment celebrated for its camaraderie and spirit.
As he heads to Paris 2024, Barshim has announced that this will be his fourth and final Olympic appearance , making it a special moment for the Golden Falcon.
Read Also
Barshim warms up for Olympics with win in Germany
Abdulrahman Samba (Hurdles)
Abdulrahman Samba has made a remarkable comeback after struggling with injuries in recent years. The 400m hurdler first gained attention in the 2018 season when he set the Asian record of 46.98 in Paris. He went on to win a bronze medal at the 2019 IAAF World Championships in Doha and finished fifth at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
In October 2023, Samba demonstrated his resilience by winning his second consecutive Asian Games gold in Hangzhou, China. Last month, he further solidified his return by competing in the Diamond League in Stockholm, marking a full recovery from his injuries.
Bassem Hemeida (Hurdles)
Bassem Hemeida's journey of dedication and hard work has led him to triumph in both Arab and Asian Championships. He won the gold medal in the 400m hurdles at the 2023 Arab Athletics Championships and secured another gold at the 2023 Asian Athletics Championships in Bangkok.
The Qatar Olympic Committee praises Hemeida as "a true champion in the making" who is prepared to overcome any hurdle that comes his way.
Ismail Dawood (Hurdles)
Last year, at just 19 years old, Ismail Dawood achieved impressive success by winning two gold medals at the Asian U-20 Athletics Championships in South Korea. He also claimed gold in the 400m hurdles at the ASA Athletics Grand Prix in South Africa.
In addition to these victories, Dawood earned silver and bronze medals in various other Asian athletic competitions. As he prepares for the Paris 2024 Olympics, Team Qatar commends his rapid progress and exceptional skill.
Shahad Mohamed (Track Running)
Mohamed, the only female athlete on the team, is set to make her Olympic debut in the 100-meter event. She has achieved a personal best of 12.79 seconds in an athletics race in Australia and recorded a time of 55.98 seconds in the 400 meters at the 2024 Emir's Cup. Additionally, she won a bronze medal in the 400 meters at the 2024 West Asian Championships in Iraq and a silver in the mixed 4x400 meters relay.
As she prepares for her first Olympic appearance, Mohamed is determined to achieve international success and aims to win a gold medal in the competition.
Abubaker Abdullah (Track Running)
Abdullah will compete in the 800-meter event at the Paris 2024 Olympics, marking his third Olympic appearance after his outstanding performances at the 2016 Rio and 2020 Tokyo Games. He won a gold medal in the 800 meters at the 2019 Asian Championships and has earned numerous medals in other Asian competitions.
Abdullah qualified for Paris 2024 by winning the 800-meter race at the Spanish University Championships with a season's best time of 1:44.60. The Qatar Olympic Committee praises the 26-year-old for his "unwavering focus and determination" as he aims to reach new heights in the coming weeks.
Ammar Ismail (Track Running)
Team Qatar's star sprinter has an impressive track record, having won gold medals in the 400m races at the 2022 GCC Games, the 2023 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships, and the 2023 West Asia Athletics Championships.
Ismail dominated the 2023 West Asia Athletics Championships in Doha, clocking 46.23 seconds to secure the gold. This year, he aims to continue his winning streak by securing another gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Saif Mohammed (Pole Vault)
Saif Mohammed (Seif Hemeida) has established himself as a top pole vaulter for Qatar, securing multiple gold medals. His achievements include golds at the 2024 Asian U20 Athletics Championships in the UAE, the 2023 Asian U20 Athletics Championships in South Korea, the 2023 Arab Games in Algeria, the Arab U23 Athletics Championships in Tunisia, and the 2022 Asian U18 Athletics Championships in Kuwait.
At 19 years old, Saif aims for new moments of glory at the Paris 2024 Olympics, following in the footsteps of his older brother Bassem (Hurdles) in winning international medals for Qatar.
Read Also
Qatari security forces arrive in France to participate in securing Paris 2024 Olympics
. Weightlifting
Fares Ibrahim
Fares Ibrahim Hassouna will always be remembered as Qatar's first-ever Olympic gold medallist. The star weightlifter made history at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where he won the gold medal in the 96kg category, setting an Olympic record with a total lift of 402kg at the age of 23.
Ibrahim secured his spot at the Paris 2024 Olympics by winning silver in the 102kg category at the 2023 World Weightlifting Championships in Saudi Arabia. In a previous interview, the Olympic hero expressed his optimism, saying, "I believe that in the next Olympics we're going to have a great, great performance from all the sports."
. Swimming
Abdulaziz Al Obaidly
Team Qatar swimmer Abdulaziz Al Obaidly has claimed numerous gold medals in various competitions, including two at the 2022 GCC Games in Kuwait. He has shown remarkable performances at the 2018 Jakarta Palembang Games, the 2018 FINA World Swimming Championships, and most recently, the 2024 Doha World Aquatics Championships.
As he prepares for his second Olympic appearance, Al Obaidly is determined to deliver his best performance yet in Paris.
. Beach Volleyball
Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan
Qatar's beach volleyball duo has secured their spot in the Paris 2024 Olympics based on their FIVB Olympic rankings. The bronze medallists from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics currently hold the top position in Asia and rank 14th in the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) standings.
Younousse and Tijan made history by winning Qatar's first Asian Games titles in beach volleyball at the Jakarta 2018 Games, and they continued their success at the Hangzhou 2023 Games and the AVC Asian Championships. They are set to face an Italian pair in their opening match at the Paris 2024 Games.
. Shooting
Rashid Saleh Al Athba and Saeed Abu Shareb
Rashid Saleh Al Athba has a collection of gold medals from top competitions over the years. He recently claimed gold in the men's skeet finals at the 2023 Asian Shooting Championship in South Korea.
The 42-year-old secured a direct qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics in skeet shooting at the 2022 ISSF World Shotgun Championships in Croatia. Paris 2024 will mark his third Olympic appearance. Al Athba previously competed in the men's double trap at the 2004 Athens Olympics and in both the trap and double trap events at the 2012 London Olympics.
Saeed Abu Shareb's journey in trap shooting is characterized by persistence and passion. The Qatari shooter clinched gold in skeet at the 2022 Amir Shooting Championships in Lusail. Previously, his trap team won bronze at the 2021 Arab Shooting Championships in Egypt.
Shareb secured his qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics by winning silver in the men's individual event at the 2023 Asian Shooting Championships in South Korea. With years of experience and a strong drive to excel, he heads to Paris 2024 with aspirations to make a significant impact on the Olympic stage.
The officials of the Qatari delegation for Paris 2024 have announced that Team Qatar athletes will begin arriving in Paris on July 19. High jumper Mutaz Barshim and sprinter Shahad Mohammed will have the honor of carrying Qatar's flag at the opening ceremony.
As the countdown begins, these Olympians are ready to make history and bring glory to Qatar. Let's cheer on these 14 athletes and wish them the best as they compete in the world's most prestigious sporting event!
MENAFN16072024000063011010ID1108442861