Beirut, Lebanon, February 3, 2022: The Lebanese delegation for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, alpine skiers Cesar Arnouk and Manon Ouaiss and cross-country skier Elie Tawk, were given an official farewell at a ceremony held at the main hall of the Rafiq Al-Hariri International Airport in Beirut on Wednesday, February 2.
Speaking at the send-off, Lebanese Olympic Committee President Boutros Edmond Jalkh said he was convinced the three athletes would give their best and “compete with a strong will”.
Jalkh noted that, despite the challenges brought by the corona pandemic and an economic crisis, the cooperation between different stakeholders, mainly the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Lebanese Olympic Committee, had resulted in a resurgence of sports which he said was proof of the vitality of youth.
Arnouk qualified for Beijing 2022 after winning the men’s slalom competition in Lebanon’s Cedar event during the 2020-21 season.
Ouaiss, regarded as a gifted skier, is a three-time gold medallist at the 2021 Alpine Skiing SES Cup, silver medallist in the Asian Alpine Ski Championships and she has represented the country in the Alpine Ski World Cup.
Tawk, Lebanon's first Winter Youth Olympic Games athlete in Lausanne 2020, qualified for the Winter Olympics at the World Championships in Oberstdorf, Germany.
Also present at the farewell ceremony was the President of the Lebanese Ski Federation, Freddy Keyrouz.
Jalkh and the Secretary General of the Lebanese Olympic Committee, General Hassan Rustom, will participate in the Opening Ceremony of the Games on Friday, February 4.
Photo: Lebanese Olympic Committee