Beirut, Lebanon, January 26, 2025: A record 17 athletes will represent Lebanon across five disciplines at the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China, from February 7-14.
The five disciplines are alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, biathlon, snowboarding and ski mountaineering.
Raymond Succar, head of Lebanon’s delegation, highlighted the significance of this year’s participation. In an interview with Xinhua, he said: “This is the biggest Lebanese delegation in international winter games. Competing in five disciplines is a milestone for Lebanon, especially given the difficult circumstances in the country.”
Succar also praised China’s excellence in organising international sporting events. “China is renowned for its flawless organisation of major events, and I am eager to witness this again. With vast financial and human resources, precision and efficiency are always remarkable.”
For years, Lebanon was primarily represented in alpine skiing. However, with the rise of athletes like Samer Tawk, the country has expanded its presence in cross-country skiing and biathlon.
Paul Keyrouz, 36, who will take part in cross-country skiing and biathlon, was enthused about competing in Harbin.
“This is my first time in China, a vast and highly developed country known for its rich history, breathtaking mountains, and snowy landscapes. I’m thrilled to explore and experience its culture,” Keyrouz said.
Cross-country skier Karen Succar, 17, said: “It will be an exciting and awesome experience. We trained in Croatia and Bulgaria in the summer through the Lebanese Ski Federation, but much of the preparation was done individually due to financial constraints.”