Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, February 16, 2022: Fayik Abdi is a name winter sports fans in Saudi Arabia will never forget as he managed to shift all eyes from the Saudi dunes to the snowy mountains of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics for the first time.
It’s also the first time within the Gulf Cooperation Council to see an athlete qualifying for the Alpine ski event in this 24th edition of the Olympic Winter Games.
People were enthusiastic to hear about the first qualification and participation for an athlete from Saudi Arabia in the Winter Games. The interest and demand for winter sports within Saudi society are remarkable, which helped inaugurate the Saudi Winter Sports Federation (SWSF) two years ago.
The President of the Saudi Olympic & Paralympic Committee (SOPC), HH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, headed the delegation along with SOPC Vice President HH Prince Fahd bin Jalawi Al Saud and IOC Member Princess Reema bin Bandar to support and mark this attempt in history.
Abdi completed both runs of the men’s giant slalom on the Ice River course and finished in 44th position when 43 other skiers failed to finish.
From the Arab region, Egypt participated once in 1984, Algeria (1992, 2006, & 2010). Meanwhile, Morocco has led the region with the most participation since (1968, 1984, 1988, 1992, and continued from 2010 to 2022). Lebanon followed with similar high participation (participated from 1948 to 2022 except 1994 & 1998). Algeria (1992, 2006, & 2010).
“Today Abdi is back home along with the delegation, leaving behind a legacy that will last forever,” the SOPC said.
“Winter sports fans in Saudi are inspired to see more Saudi athletes representing their country in such competitions, bringing more joy and pride to the nation as it diversifies in opening new windows for its young population.”
