14 Athletes to Represent UAE at Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Dubai, The Gulf Observer: The National Olympic Committee (NOC) has officially announced the details of the UAE’s participation in the 33rd Summer Olympic Games, to be hosted in Paris, France, from July 26 to August 11, 2024. This monumental event will feature 10,500 athletes from 200 National Olympic Committees competing in 32 sports across 329 events at 35 venues. The games will also attract 20,000 media representatives and 45,000 volunteers. In addition, the event will include 754 sessions of competition with 350,000 hours of television broadcast coverage.

The UAE delegation will comprise 14 athletes, accompanied by a support team of 24 administrative, technical, and medical staff. The athletes will compete in five sports: equestrian, judo, cycling, swimming, and athletics. The national equestrian team for the show jumping competition includes Abdullah Humaid Al Muhairi, Abdullah Al Marri, Omar Al Marzouqi, Salem Al Suwaidi, and Ali Al Karbi, with the final four participants to be selected by the technical staff in the coming days.

The national judo team features five male athletes and one female athlete: Narmand Bayan (under 66 kg), Talal Shvili (under 81 kg), Aram Gregorian (under 90 kg), Dhafer Aram (under 100 kg), Omar Marouf (over 100 kg), and female athlete Bashirat Kharoudi (under 52 kg, women’s lightweight).

Cyclist Safia Al Sayegh will make history as the first Emirati female cyclist to qualify for the Olympics, competing in the road race. Swimmer Yousef Rashid Al Matroushi will compete in the 100m freestyle, while swimmer Maha Abdullah Al Shehi will compete in the 200m freestyle. Runner Maryam Mohammed Al Farsi will participate in the 100m race.

Omar Al Marzouqi has been chosen to carry the UAE flag during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on July 26. This ceremony, which will be attended by 10,500 athletes, will be unique as it will be held outside the stadium for the first time on the Seine River, featuring about 160 boats of various types and sizes.

This announcement was made during a press conference held by the National Olympic Committee on Friday at the Shindagha Museum in Dubai. The event was attended by representatives from the sports federations participating in the Paris Olympic Games and a large contingent of local and international media representatives.

Faris Mohammed Al Mutawaa, Secretary General of the NOC, commenced the conference with a speech thanking H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and President of the National Olympic Committee, for his unwavering support and guidance for the UAE team. Al Mutawaa emphasized the importance of providing all necessary resources to help the athletes perform at their best, aiming to achieve new milestones and sustain the success of UAE sports on the global stage.

“I would like to congratulate the sports federations participating in the Paris Olympic Games for their relentless efforts over the past four years leading up to this historic moment. Congratulations to all for their dedication and leadership,” said Al Mutawaa. “I am confident in the abilities of our athletes to replicate the Olympic successes of 2004 and 2016, and to further elevate the UAE’s standing in the Olympic community.”

Al Mutawaa also announced the inauguration of the UAE House in Paris, which will coincide with the Olympic Games. “The UAE House will showcase our national heritage and cultural legacy, offering visitors an opportunity to experience Emirati hospitality and learn about the inspiring journey of our Union. The UAE House will be open daily from July 27 to August 11, from 10 AM to 8 PM, featuring a wide array of activities and events, with a dedicated program for visits by UAE Olympians.”

He concluded by inviting sports councils across the UAE to support the national delegation by attending the Olympic competitions in Paris and visiting the UAE House.