Qatari shooter Saeed Abusharib made his Olympic debut at the Paris 2024 Olympics, competing in the men’s trap event. Despite facing tough competition, Abusharib put on a commendable performance in the qualifiers at the Chateauroux Shooting Centre in Chateauroux, Paris. With a total score of 118 after five rounds, hitting 24, 22, 24, 25, and 23 targets respectively, Abusharib finished in 23rd place overall. The 40-year-old athlete expressed satisfaction with his performance, stating that he was happy with his debut and is looking forward to preparing for future competitions to achieve even better results.
Among the Arab participants, Moroccan Idriss Al Haffari narrowly missed out on a place in the finals after hitting 122 targets, while Kuwait’s Khaled Al Mudhaf and Oman’s Saeed Al Khatri finished in 17th and 30th place respectively. Great Britain’s Nathan Hales, another Olympic debutant, set a new Games record by hitting 48 shots out of 50 to win the gold medal in the men’s trap event. China’s Qi Ying claimed silver with 44 hits, and Guatemala’s Jean Pierre Brol Cardenas secured the bronze medal with a score of 35. Abusharib’s compatriot, Rashid Saleh Al Athba, will compete in the qualifying round for skeet shooting on August 2 after winning a bronze medal at the World Skeet Championships in 2022.
The Qatar Olympic Committee Secretary-General, Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain, attended a Saudi reception in Paris, along with other Qatari officials, on the sidelines of the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games. They were received by the Saudi Minister of Sports, Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal Al Saud, and Vice President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, Prince Fahd bin Jalawi bin Abdulaziz. The event brought together representatives from Qatar and Saudi Arabia in a display of sports diplomacy and cooperation.
However, the Paris 2024 Olympics have been marred by the rising number of athletes testing positive for COVID-19 at the Athletes Village. Australian swimmer Lani Pallister, a medal hopeful for the women’s 1500m freestyle event, tested positive for the virus and had to withdraw from the competition. This news comes after British breaststroke silver medallist Adam Peaty also tested positive earlier in the week. The ongoing threat of COVID-19 highlights the challenges faced by athletes and organizers in ensuring a safe and successful Olympic Games amidst the pandemic.
In conclusion, Saeed Abusharib’s performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics marks a proud moment for Qatar as he made his debut on the international stage. Despite finishing in 23rd place, Abusharib’s determination and dedication to the sport are commendable. The success of athletes like Nathan Hales and the challenges faced by others, such as Lani Pallister, highlight the highs and lows of elite sports competition. Through sports diplomacy and cooperation, nations like Qatar and Saudi Arabia can come together to promote unity and mutual respect. As the Paris 2024 Olympics continue, athletes will strive to overcome obstacles and showcase their talent on the world stage, inspiring others to pursue their dreams in the arena of sports.
