Olympic Games for Saudi Arabia?

As the Paris Olympiad is set to get underway on 26 July, Saudi Arabia’s presence at the Summer Games carries multiple goals.

It will be the nation’s thirteenth appearance at the Summer Olympics, and for the first time, a Saudi sportswoman has a serious chance of a medal at the games. Dunya Abutaleb made history in March by becoming the first Saudi woman to qualify by merit for the Olympics. While others were previously granted quota places, Abutaleb earned her spot by winning the 2024 Asian qualification tournament in Tai’an, China.

Show jumping will also be a key focus for Saudi Arabia’s medal prospects. It is the first time a Saudi equestrian team is participating since the London Olympics. KSA previously won team bronze in 2012 and individual bronze in 2000 but missed both the Rio and Tokyo Games. This is all the more important as horses have, of course, long been integral to Arabian culture.

A large official Saudi delegation is expected in Paris to support the Kingdom’s team. Sport is becoming a veritable lynchpin for the evolution of Saudi Arabia on the world stage. Saudi Arabia’s sporting calendar already includes events such as the Dakar Rally, Extreme E in AlUla, the Spanish Super Cup, Formula 1 and Formula E races, and the Saudi Cup horse race. Each event caters to different segments of the sports community, attracting a global audience.

With the confirmation of the 2034 FIFA Club World Cup last year, along with the 2034 Asian Games, HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal was clear in the Kingdom’s commitment to sport: “Many fans will have recently witnessed our ability as a nation to compete at the highest possible level on the pitch,” he said. “Now we have the chance to prove we are also world-class hosts off it.”

First Olympic Event in KSA: Olympic Esports Games 2025

Most recently, on 12 July, the International Olympic Committee announced that it has partnered with the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Saudi Arabia to host the inaugural Olympic Esports Games 2025 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, granting the kingdom the rights all the way through to 2037. This “monopoly” of an Olympic event is a first.

In 2029, the Kingdom will host the Asian Winter Games in Trojena, confirming KSA as a global sporting venue.

KSA for Summer Games 2036?

Bonds between the International Olympic Committee and KSA are growing. On 11 December 2023, IOC President Thomas Bach was in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, to visit the National Olympic and Paralympic Committee (NOC), and to see for himself the impressive development of sport in the Kingdom.

As a guest at the Saudi National Games, the President watched a number of sports and visited the fan zone. The second edition of the Games saw more than 8,000 participants from across the country competing in 53 sports, including Paralympic sports, and a number of Esports competitions. The Games, which also saw record participation by female athletes of 28 per cent, are part of the rapid growth of the sports sector, as outlined in the Vision 2030 strategy for the Kingdom. The aim is to use sport as a tool for health, inclusion and cohesion of Saudi society, and to promote gender quality and economic growth. At the same time, the Saudi NOC is also focusing on the performance of Saudi athletes at the elite level.

Speaking at the NOC headquarters, President Bach told the organisers: “The seamless organisation of this event and the professional development of sport in Saudi Arabia are very impressive. I have rarely seen such a positive development of sport in such a short time. With increased engagement at all levels, and in particular a rise in the level of female participation, the goals of the sports strategy in many ways mirror the aims of our Olympic Agenda reform programme,” he added.

With the 2028 Olympiad planned for Los Angeles and the 2032 games announced for Brisbane, Australia, the 2036 venue is still to be decided. India, Mexico, Indonesia, Turkey, and Poland have already submitted bids, and Qatar is also on the cards to host the event. But given the ongoing “run” by KSA on sporting mega-events, Riyadh is also tentatively raising its hand for the 2036 games. This year’s Olympiad in Paris will be decisive in terms of raising the Kingdom’s profile in the international sports arena, and the current scenario, with KSA low on the candidate’s list for the 2036 games, is likely to change within the space of a few weeks.

Saudi Arabia’s investment in sports is part of a broader strategy to enhance its global standing and diversify its economy. By hosting an array of international sporting events, the Kingdom is not only showcasing its state-of-the-art facilities and organisational prowess but also its rich culture and hospitality.

The country is focusing on building a comprehensive sports infrastructure, supported by government initiatives and private investments. This includes state-of-the-art stadiums, sports academies, and training facilities, aimed at nurturing local talent and attracting international athletes.

The surge in sports events is expected to have a significant economic impact, creating jobs, boosting tourism, and contributing to the overall development of the country. Additionally, these events promote social engagement and healthy lifestyles among the Saudi population. Through these events, Saudi Arabia is fostering a spirit of inclusivity and international exchange. By bringing together athletes and fans from around the world, the Kingdom is creating a platform for cultural dialogue and mutual understanding.

The evolution of female sports in Saudi Arabia

The evolution of female sports in Saudi Arabia has been remarkable. Initiatives under Vision 2030 have significantly increased female participation in sports. Today, nearly half of the Kingdom’s 23 million gamers are female, and there are over 330,000 registered female athletes. The Kingdom’s sports infrastructure now includes women’s national teams competing internationally and significant female representation in sports governance.

Dunya Abutaleb’s participation in the Olympics marks a historic milestone for Saudi women in sports. Her success story is an inspiration, reflecting the broader changes in the Kingdom’s approach to female athletes and their integration into international sports.

Saudi Arabia’s Promising Athletes Heading to the Paris Olympics:

Dunya Abutaleb (Taekwondo)

Dunya Abutaleb is arguably Saudi Arabia’s best hope for a medal in Paris. She made history in March by becoming the first Saudi woman to qualify for the Olympics on merit, winning the 2024 Asian qualification tournament in Tai’an, China. This achievement adds to a distinguished career that includes a World Championship bronze in 2022.

Heading into the 2024 Games, Abutaleb is ranked third in the world in the -53kg category but will compete in the -49kg category in Paris. This is the highest ranking ever achieved by a Saudi athlete in taekwondo, providing hope that Abutaleb might secure a podium finish. She enters the Olympics with five event victories this year, including gold at the 2024 Asian Championships in Da Nang, Vietnam.

Mohammed Tolo (Athletics – Shot Put)

Mohammed Tolo is one of three athletics competitors representing Saudi Arabia in Paris. Tolo secured his Olympic debut by setting a personal best and Asian record of 21.80m in Madrid in June. He won silver at the Asian Games last year but had previously fallen short of the Olympic qualification mark of 21.50m until his historic throw.

Tolo, who also competes in discus, added a Saudi National Championships gold to his accolades in May. The 23-year-old is now ranked in the top 10 in the world for shot put.

Hussain Al-Hizam (Athletics – Pole Vault)

Hussain Al-Hizam will finally achieve his Olympic dream in Paris after narrowly missing out on Tokyo due to a serious ankle injury. The Jubail-born pole vaulter faced an anxious wait to see if his world ranking would secure him a place, which it did. Al-Hizam, now part of the 32-man pole vault field, will compete against the world’s best.

The 26-year-old honed his skills in the US college athletics system, progressing his career through the 2022 and 2023 World Athletics Championships, and winning bronze at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou.

Hibah Mohammed (Athletics – 100m)

Hibah Mohammed will compete in one of the Olympics’ most iconic events, the 100m, after receiving an International Olympic Committee (IOC) quota place. The 23-year-old sprinter set a personal best and new Saudi national record in both the 200m and 100m in May, clocking 12.24 seconds in the latter and winning bronze at the West Asian Championships in Basra, Iraq.

Following in the footsteps of previous Saudi female 100m Olympians Yasmeen Al-Dabbagh (2020) and Kariman Abuljadayel (2016), Mohammed aims to advance further in Paris.

Zaid Al-Sarraj (Swimming)

At just 16 years old, Zaid Al-Sarraj will be the youngest Saudi Olympian in Paris, competing in the 100m freestyle at the Aquatics Centre in Saint-Denis. Al-Sarraj made his debut at the World Aquatics Championships in Doha this year. Despite finishing 58th in the heats, the experience was invaluable, leading to his wildcard spot for the 2024 Games.

Mashael Al-Ayed (Swimming)

Seventeen-year-old Mashael Al-Ayed will make history as the first Saudi female swimmer to compete at the Olympics, participating in the 200m freestyle. Al-Ayed has raced in the FINA World Swimming Championships and the 2023 and 2024 World Aquatics Championships. She will compete only in the 200m in her maiden Olympics.

Abdullah Al-Sharbatly (Showjumping)

Abdullah Al-Sharbatly will make his third Olympic appearance this summer. Al-Sharbatly, a bronze medallist in team showjumping at the 2012 London Olympics, is the most decorated athlete in Asian Games history across any sport, with six gold medals. The 41-year-old will ride Alamo as part of Saudi Arabia’s four-person showjumping team.

Ramzy Al-Duhami (Showjumping)

Veteran jumper Ramzy Al-Duhami returns for his fifth Olympics, having previously competed in Sydney, Athens, Beijing, and London, where he won a bronze medal in team showjumping. The 52-year-old will ride Untouchable 32 in Paris, an “amazing horse” he believes can win a medal.

Abdulrahman Alrajhi (Showjumping)

Abdulrahman Alrajhi, a gold medallist at the Asian Games, will ride Ventago in Paris. The 29-year-old has built a significant social media presence, with over 193,000 followers tracking his career. Alrajhi described his selection for the Paris Games as “a dream come true.”

Khaled Al-Mobty (Showjumping)

Khaled Al-Mobty, a member of the Saudi team at this year’s FEI World Cup in Riyadh, is the team’s first reserve for Paris. At 26, Al-Mobty is considered by veteran team-mate Al-Duhami to be a promising talent for the future.

As Saudi Arabia continues to invest in and promote sports, the Kingdom is positioning itself as a major player on the global sports stage. With a focus on inclusivity, sustainability, and cultural heritage, Saudi Arabia is not only enhancing its international reputation but also fostering a healthier, more engaged society. The upcoming Paris Olympics and future sporting events will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the Kingdom’s sporting legacy and its ambition to host the Summer Games in 2036.

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