The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has announced an exceptional delegation of athletes who will compete at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. The delegation will showcase the nation’s remarkable progress in sports development.

Leading the trailblazing team is Dunya Abu Taleb, a taekwondo athlete who has directly qualified for the prestigious international event through the Asian qualifying event. This historic milestone marks the first time a Saudi female athlete has secured a direct qualification to the Olympic Games, underscoring Abu Taleb’s talent and the Kingdom’s unwavering commitment to promoting sports and fostering global excellence.

Joining Abu Taleb on this pioneering journey is 17-year-old swimmer Mashael Al Ayed, who will be the first Saudi female athlete to compete in an Olympic swimming event. Al Ayed secured a coveted wild card invitation to race in the 200m freestyle, further highlighting the Kingdom’s investment in developing its sports ecosystem.

In equestrian, the Saudi show jumping team, consisting of Ramzi Al Duhami, Abdullah Al Sharbatly, Khaled Al Mobty, and Abdulrahman Al Rajhi, qualified for the Olympics after topping their group at the Doha International Jumping Competition last year. This achievement marks the team’s return to the Olympic stage, having last competed in London 2012, where they secured a bronze medal.

The Saudi delegation’s talent extends to athletics as well. The 23-year-old shot putter Mohammed Tolo is making his Olympic debut in the shot put event, having snatched the qualifying ticket by setting an Asian record during the Madrid Athletics meet last June. Additionally, his teammate Hussein Al Hizam, a pole vaulter, is set to make his first Olympic appearance, achieving 1252 points in the world ranking for the event.

Furthermore, the International Association of Athletics Federations (World Athletics) has granted the sprinter Hibah Mohammed a wild card to participate in the women’s 100m event, a historic first for the athlete.

In swimming, rising star Zaid Al Sarraj, at just 16 years old, will be the youngest Saudi athlete competing in the Olympic Games. After receiving a wild card entry, he will take on the challenge of the 100m sprint event.

As the Saudi delegation gears up for the Paris Olympics, these pioneering athletes are poised to capture the attention and admiration of fans worldwide. The Kingdom’s remarkable strides in developing its sports ecosystem have empowered these athletes to reach new heights, setting the stage for them to inspire a new generation of Saudis to pursue their athletic dreams. From investing in state-of-the-art facilities to nurturing a culture of excellence, Saudi Arabia has boldly transformed itself into a rising sports powerhouse, paving the way for its athletes to thrive internationally.