Saudi athletes aim high at Paris 2024 Olympics, hoping for first gold medal Mashael Al-Ayed to be the first Saudi athlete to compete, making history in the 200 meters freestyle

PARIS — As the Paris 2024 Olympics unfolds, Saudi athletes prepare for what they hope will be a medal-winning participation.
The Kingdom, which has not yet clinched its first-ever gold medal in the Olympics, has high expectations for this tournament, particularly in sports like show jumping and taekwondo.
The Saudi team appeared in the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics with a special twist, as the unveiling took place on the Seine River. Saudi Arabia's delegation made a notable appearance at the opening ceremony, dressed in outfits reflecting the cultural heritage that the Kingdom's athletes proudly represent.
The Olympic Games were inaugurated by French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday evening, along the banks of the Seine River in Paris. The event was attended by Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, President of the Saudi Arabian Olympic and Paralympic Committee, his deputy Prince Fahd bin Jalawi bin Abdulaziz, Dr. Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, numerous world leaders, and over 300,000 spectators.
For the first time in history, the opening ceremony was held outside the traditional stadiums, featuring a parade of participating countries on 85 boats traveling approximately 6 kilometers along the Seine River.
The designs for the opening ceremony attire were chosen through a national competition organized by the Saudi Arabian Olympic and Paralympic Committee, inviting designers from across the Kingdom to contribute. Out of 128 competing designers, the chosen designs by Saudi designer Alia Al-Salmi featured traditional men's thobes and bishts and brightly patterned thobe al-nashal for women, symbolizing the athletes' pride in their homeland and cultural roots.
Mashael Al-Ayed (17 years old) will be the first to compete, taking to the pool for the 200 meters freestyle swimming event on July 28 at 12:00 PM. Al-Ayed is the first female swimmer to represent Saudi Arabia at the Olympics.
Following her, Zaid Al-Sarraj will compete in the 100 meters freestyle swimming event on July 30 at 12:00 PM. Sixteen-year-old Al-Sarraj will be the youngest Saudi athlete in the current edition.
Mohammed Tolo will showcase his strength in the weightlifting competition on August 2 at 9:10 PM.
On the same day, Hiba Malim will compete in the 100 meters athletics event at 12:50 PM.
The Saudi equestrian team, consisting of Abdullah Al-Sharbatly, Ramzi Al-Duhami, Khaled Al-Mobty, and Abdulrahman Al-Rajhi, will compete in show jumping events on August 1 at 12:00 PM and August 5 at 5:00 PM.
Dunia Abu Taleb will represent Saudi Arabia in taekwondo, competing in the 49 kg category on August 7 at 10:00 AM. Abu Taleb is the first female athlete to qualify directly for the Olympics from Saudi Arabia.
Later on August 3, Hussain Al-Hizam will participate in the pole vault event at 11:10 AM.
The honor of raising the Saudi flag at the opening of the world's largest sporting event fell to show jumper Ramzi Al-Duhami and taekwondo athlete Dunia Abu Taleb. Al-Duhami expressed his pride in raising the Kingdom's flag alongside his teammate, noting that it is a dream for any Saudi citizen and a source of immense pride. He wished for success for himself and his fellow athletes in representing Saudi sports with distinction.
Abu Taleb also expressed her pride in carrying the Kingdom's flag at the Olympic Games, stating that participating in the Olympics is a dream for every athlete. "I aspire to perform at a level that reflects the support and attention given to sports in the Kingdom," she said.