Following the recent celebration incident at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, Abdulrahman Alqurashi, the Saudi Paralympic Gold medalist in the T53 100m Wheelchair event, has issued the following statement:

“To achieve my dream of becoming a Paralympic Champion and to hear the Saudi national anthem at the world’s largest Paralympic event is an indescribable honor. I am profoundly grateful to my country and its leadership for their unwavering support, to the people of Saudi Arabia for their encouragement, and to my federation and the Saudi Olympic & Paralympic Committee.

I also wish to extend my sincere thanks to my fellow athletes who competed with fairness and embodied the true spirit of sportsmanship. Such unity is the essence of our shared values in athletics.

I regret if my celebratory gesture was misinterpreted and caused any offense. My intention was simply to signify a ‘Game-over’ moment, and it was never meant to offend anyone. I apologize for any misunderstanding and hope to move forward with a renewed commitment to the positive spirit of the Paralympic Games.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support.”

The Saudi Olympic & Paralympic Committee remains committed to promoting the highest standards of sportsmanship and the core values of respect, integrity, and fair play. We support our athletes in upholding these principles and fostering a positive environment in all aspects of competition.