PARIS: Oman’s sprinter Ali al Balushi concluded his Olympic debut at the Paris 2024 Olympics with a positive performance finishing in sixth place as he clocked 10.26 seconds in the men’s first round 100 m event for heats 3 at Stade de France on Saturday.
The sprinter Louie Hinchliffe from Great Britain took the first place as he clocked a timing of 9.98 seconds while he was followed by American athlete Noah Lyles, world ranking No1, in the second place as he registered a timing of 10.04 seconds. South African Shaun Maswanganyi came third with a timing of 10.06 seconds.
The top three finishers from each of the eight groups along with the best three timing across all groups secured a slot in the semifinals which will take place on Monday. The finals will be scheduled on the same day. Although Ali al Balushi could not break his official record of 10.14 seconds, his participation in this major Olympic event was commendable.
The youngster sprinter Ali al Balushi said that he was looking to advance further in his Olympic debut but the competition was extremely tough with the presence of many world-class runners from various countries. “The competition was very tough especially heat three was featured the presence of top-ranked sprinters including Noah Lyles from US, world ranking No 1. My attendance in the Olympics alongside these athletes provided me with valuable technical experience which will act as beneficial in my forthcoming regional and international events. I am focusing now on my upcoming events and championships.
The Olympic participation ranked as a valuable addition to my technical and sporting expertise. I will work with my coach to improve on the weakness areas and enhance the strong points. I am still at the beginning of my athletic career and I am confident that I will achieve much more in upcoming sports events,” he ended
Earlier on Friday, Oman’s women sprinter Mazoon al Alawi finished seventh in the preliminary heat two of the 100m race event at Stade de France in her third Olympics appearance in Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The 26 years old could not advance to first round competitions after she clocked 12.58 seconds in seventh place. This result was not enough to be among the best four sprinters from four heats to progress into the first round competitions including the top three in all the four heats.
OOC Secy Gen attends GCC Coordination Meeting
Taha bin Suleiman al Kishry, Secretary General of the Oman Olympic Committee (OOC) attended in the official reception hosted by Qatar Olympic Committee in Paris recently. Ahead of the reception, a consultative and coordination meeting of the GCC Gulf Council Olympic Committees, chaired by HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al Thani, Chairman of the Qatar Olympic Committee, with several heads and secretaries-general of the GCC Gulf Council Olympic Committees attending in the meeting which discussed various topics related to Gulf presence in the Olympics and enhancing the joint Gulf cooperation system.
The Secretary General of OOC attended also the official reception hosted by the Olympic Council of Asia which was presented by several heads and secretaries-general of Olympic committees from around the world. Ali bin Salim al Busaidi, head of the Omani sports delegation, was also present.
Shuaib al Zadjali and his fifth Olympic attendance
Oman’s Shuaib al Zadjali is attending in Paris 2024 Olympics in his fifth attendance at the Olympic Games as Doping Control Officer (DCO). The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) selected an Omani candidate as one of the professionals involved in anti-doping efforts at various competition sites during the Paris 2024 Olympics. Shuaib managed to meet all the criteria and requirements necessary for participation in this significant Olympic event. This is his fifth Olympic participation having previously participated in the Beijing 2008, London 2012, Rio de Janeiro 2016, Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics.
Commenting in his attendance at Paris 2024 Olympics, he said: ”My participation in Paris 2024 Olympic Games as Doping Control Officer is part of a specialised team that engaged for these tasks. I managed to pass all the required tests and interviews. I am the only Gulf representative in this team and this will be my seventh participation in the Olympic Games in general including my previous participation at Beijing 2008, the Youth Olympic Games in London 2010 and Singapore 2012, Rio 2016, the Winter Olympics 2018, Tokyo 2020, and Paris 2024. In addition to that, I attended also the Fifa World Cup in Russia in 2018 and the World Cup in Qatar in 2022."
“This participation carries significant responsibilities and challenges especially as WADA has intensified testing for this edition by announcing three doping cases before the competitions began. Additionally, a new test called 'dry blood' has been introduced alongside traditional blood and urine tests. The team also monitors any changes in athletes' blood components according to international standards,” he added
Al Zadjali expressed his sincere thanks and gratitude to the Oman Olympic Committee and the Oman Committee for Sports Medicine and Anti-Doping for their continuous support ensuring Omani professionals are represented in various regional, continental, and international sports events. “Special thanks to WADA officials for their trust in selecting me for this role. This emphasizes that this participation provides me with a significant opportunity to gain more experience and achieve the desired technical benefits which will enhance my expertise in this specialisation and benefit my colleagues in the field,” he concluded.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
