Omani athletes ready for Youth Olympic Games

Omani athletes completed their preparation to take at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires which will held during October 6 to 18. The Sultanate delegation representing by Oman Olympic Committee (OOC) will participate in three events — athletics, sailing and swimming. In athletics, long distance runner Mohammed al Suliemani and sprinter Ali al Balushi will compete for Oman, while Issa al Adawi is the lone swimmer. Mohammed Nabil al Balushi will compete in sailing. Al Sulimani sealed qualification spot to the Youth Olympic Games as he clinched gold medal in 2,000 metres running in the Asian qualifications held in Thailand last July. Ali al Balushi finished second in 200 metres run in his last participation at the International Gymnasiade School Games in Morocco. Oman’s young swimmer Issa al Adawi participated in the last Asian Games in Jakarta. He registered a new record as he participated in 100 metres free style swimming and he covered that within a timing of 53.03 seconds, a new Omani swimming record. “It was a great season for Ali al Balushi. He did a good effort to boost his technical level and competency. The main aim for him at season of 2018 was not achieving medals but better preparation for upcoming tournaments,” Fahad al Mashyaki, head coach of Ali al Balushi. “Despite to the lower age of the Ali, he is performing strongly and he participated in the youth category tournament in Kuwait and in relay team in Jordan. He claimed bronze medal in Jordan,” Al Mashyaki added. “Ali al Balushi won bronze medal in the 200 metres race at International Gymnasiade School Games in Morocco. He recorded a timing of 21.72 and it is second highest record. I believe if he get the right environment in the coming period, obviously he will register a better achievement for the Sultanate,” Mashyaki concluded.