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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

OOC gears up for Tokyo Olympics

Sayyid Khalid expresses confidence in athletes to achieve new records
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MUSCAT: The Oman Olympic Committee (OOC) has completed its preparation ahead of the Sultanate squad’s participation in the 32nd Olympic Games hosted by Japan in Tokyo, from July 23 to August 8.


The OOC has succeeded in obtaining wild cards for four athletes to participate in Tokyo Games. Swimmer Issa bin Samir al Adawi, runner Barakat bin Mubarak al Harthy, shooter Hamad bin Saeed al Khateri and weightlifter Amer bin Salem al Khanjari received the invites after coordination between OOC and the Sports Federations and International Olympic Committee (IOC). The players were selected based on a set of specific criteria stipulated at the continental and international levels that were adopted as a condition for obtaining the invitation card.


Oman’s athletics team includes Barakat bin Mubarak al Harthy, who will participate in the 100 metres race, along with his coach Mohammed bin Abdullah al Houti. In swimming, coach Ayman bin Hamad al Kulaibi will accompany Issa bin Samir al Adawi, who will participate in the 100 metres freestyle swimming.


The Oman shooting team will comprise Hamad bin Saeed al Khatri, who will participate in the 50m rifle competitions in three positions, along with his coach Sultan bin Salim al Rashidi, and administrator Sulaiman bin Hamad al Hinai. The list of weightlifters includes Amer bin Salem al Khanjari, who will participate in the 81 kg weight category, and his coach Mazen bin Humaid al Badri.


The athletes are undergoing a final phase of intensive training to present their best technical performance representing the Sultanate in this important international event.


OOC will participate in the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, which will be held on July 23, where swimmer Issa al Adawi will carry the flag of the Sultanate in the march past of the participating countries, in the presence of the head and members of the delegation.


The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, under the directives of His Highness Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham al Said, provided continuous support to OOC to ensure its presence in Olympic Games and to enable the players to perform good levels on both the competitive and performance sides.



OOC CHIEF LAUDS MINISTRY SUPPORT


OOC Chairman Sayyid Khalid bin Hamad al Busaidy appreciated Japan for preparing well for the ideal launch 32nd Olympic Games despite challenging circumstances posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.


“Oman will participate with four athletes who were chosen according to the Olympic standards, and they succeeded, with their diligence and determination, to achieve the acceptable rates of participation, by obtaining special invitation cards.


“Our goal remains to achieve new records in this mega sports event, and we have great confidence in our players to achieve this. We had hoped for a larger number of players and national teams to participate, however, unfortunately none of the national teams could qualify for Tokyo Games. This confirms the paramount importance of having serious long-term plans to ensure a good presence in future Olympic participations that must be worked on from now, that is what we always call for and strive to work on in coordination with the Ministry of Culture, Sports, Youth and Sports Federations and Committees. From this point of view comes the attention of the Ministry, headed by HH Sayyid Theyazin, who provides all the possibilities available in order to make the Olympic champions. His Highness’s decision to form a committee for high performance athletes is a practical indication of the correct starting point to achieve this great national goal.”


For his part, Taha bin Sulaiman al Kishry, OOC Secretary-General, said that the OOC has performed all its duties to support and follow up the efforts made by the concerned sports federations and committees to prepare athletes to participate in this important global event.


Al Kishry also praised the decision issued by HH Sayyid Theyazin regarding the formation of a committee for high performance athletes, which will contribute significantly to create a supportive and stimulating environment for sports bodies and for athletes to reach high levels and ensure the effective representation of the Sultanate in continental and international sports forums. He affirmed that making Olympic champions is a joint national responsibility that requires continuous and diligent work for consecutive years.


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