The scorching desert, the cold ice and snow, ice and fire merge into one at this moment.
This is one person's Winter Olympics, but it is the pride of the whole country. Fayk Abdi, a 24-year-old alpine skier, is the first athlete in Saudi Arabia's history to participate in the Winter Olympics, and it is also the first time in Saudi Arabia's history to send a group to participate in the Winter Olympics. From desert to snow-capped mountains, Faik Abdi's small step has taken a historic big step for the saudi nation.
Faik Abdi said: "As the first Saudi To participate in the Winter Olympics, I am very honored, and I am the only Saudi athlete participating in this competition, I hope that my participation will open a new door for more people in the whole region to participate in the Winter Olympics in the future." "Saudi Arabia sent athletes to participate in the Winter Olympics, which is also the first time in the GCC countries.
Saudi Arabia, which has been dry and hot all year round and sees no snow and ice, can appear in the Winter Olympic games, which has caused a sensation throughout the Middle East. Of course, this is closely related to Saudi Crown Prince Bin Salman's support for the ice and snow cause and the Beijing Winter Olympics, reflecting Saudi Arabia's ambitions for Vision 2030.
In order to show the great importance it attaches to the Beijing Winter Olympics, Saudi Arabia set up a Special Saudi Winter Olympics Training Camp at the beginning of last year, and a total of 8 Saudi male athletes were selected, mainly alpine skiers and cross-country skiers. Due to the high temperature and dryness of Saudi Arabia all year round, there is no ice and snow factor at all, there is no professional ski resort, the athletes are inexperienced, and they are also part-time.
Therefore, Saudi Arabia spent a lot of money to invite professional coaches from Europe and North America, and specially organized training camps in the Swiss Alps, with the purpose of striving to make athletes meet the conditions and qualifications stipulated by the International Snow Federation and successfully obtain the quota of the Beijing Winter Olympics.
On February 13, Faik Abdi's leap in the men's giant slalom event in alpine skiing at the Beijing Winter Olympics brought Saudi Arabia, a desert country, onto the big stage of the Winter Olympics, and the "Snow Flying Swallow" National Alpine Ski Center also witnessed this history.
In the end, Faik Abdi finished 45th with a total time of 2:46.85. "It was my first time at the Winter Olympics, it was a very memorable experience indeed, and I finished the race. I made the history of sports in Saudi Arabia. Of course, this is just the beginning, I am only 24 years old, and there are still many plans for the future to be completed by me. Faik Abdi said.
Photo by reporters of the Winter Olympics and Guan Xin
For more information, stay tuned to the Winter Olympics.
Source Client The Winter Olympics | Journalist Kong Ning
Editor: Han Ye
Process Editor Tai Shaofeng