Skip to main content

IOC President Spots The Impressive Development Of Sport In Saudi Arabia





Thomas Bach, the president of the International Olympic Committee, was in the Saudi capital of Riyadh last weekend to visit the National Olympic and Paralympic Committee (NOC), and to see for himself the impressive growth of sport in the Kingdom.

He arrived in Saudi Arabia on Saturday for his third visit to the Middle Eastern country since being elected as the IOC's president in 2013. He toured the recently concluded Saudi Games 2023 site and noted the "extremely impressive" development of sport there.







Sport - A Tool For Health, Inclusion And Cohesion


Bach highlighted the inclusion of more women in sport and leading positions within the sporting movement. "I don't think I have seen such a transformation of sport in such a short period of time in any country," he added.

The second edition of the Saudi National Games saw more than 8,000 participants from across the country competing in 53 sports and a number of Esports competitions. The Games also saw record participation by female athletes of 28%.

The goal is to use sport as a tool for health, inclusion and cohesion of Saudi society, and to promote economic growth and gender quality. At the same time, the Saudi NOC is also focusing on the performance of Saudi athletes at the elite level.

The Impact Of Geopolitical Situation On World Sport


Later, in a meeting with Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, the two leaders discussed the upcoming Paris Olympics. Their discussions also encompassd the IOC initiative to create Olympic Esports Games.



The impact of the current geopolitical situation on world sport was also part of the talks. In this respect, the Crown Prince extended his full support for the IOC's position on the unifying power of sport and the autonomy of the IOC.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Sky Care: How the UAE’s First Hospital Vertiport is Redefining Emergency Response

  Imagine a critical patient, a time-sensitive organ for transplant, or a specialist medical team needed across a bustling city. On the ground, traffic is a formidable adversary, where every minute lost can alter outcomes. Now, imagine that same journey taking minutes instead of an hour, not by navigating the roads, but by soaring gracefully above them. This is not a scene from a sci-fi film; it is the new reality in the United Arab Emirates. In a landmark move that solidifies its position on the global stage of innovation, the UAE has officially launched the nation’s — and the region’s — first hospital-based vertiport at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. This isn’t just a helipad with a new name. It is the cornerstone of a fully integrated, city-wide advanced air mobility (AAM) ecosystem, marking a profound convergence of cutting-edge aviation, AI-driven healthcare, and sustainable infrastructure. The Launch of a Lifesaving Corridor The project is a powerful collaboration between aviati...
Post a Comment
Read more

Three Houses, One Vision – How the UAE’s Abrahamic Family House is Redefining Inter-Faith Dialogue

  When you step onto the stone-plinth of the Abrahamic Family House on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, you are not just visiting a building. You are entering a bold statement: a mosque, a church and a synagogue standing side-by-side, equal in size and purpose, sharing common ground while respecting their separate faiths. A landmark of coexistence In early 2023 the UAE inaugurated this pioneering complex, inviting worshippers and visitors alike. The architecture — designed to give each of the three faith-homes the same external dimensions and to signal equality — allows each to express its own traditions while remaining visibly part of a unified vision. More than 200 nationalities live in the UAE, which means the project reflects a multicultural reality in which multiple faiths and identities coexist daily. Islam’s role in the vision For Muslim-majority audiences in the Gulf, the Abrahamic Family House sends a resonant message: Islam does not fear dialogue — it embraces it. The m...
Post a Comment
Read more

Beyond the Barrel: The UAE's Steady Hand in a Shifting Global Economy

  Global economic rankings often highlight familiar names, but a steady, deliberate climb is happening in the Gulf. The UAE consistently ranks as one of the most economically stable nations, and this validation stems from a steady reform model that has successfully insulated its economy. The story is no longer about oil wealth; it's about the strategic deployment of that wealth to build a resilient, modern, and dynamic knowledge economy. The proof is in the sectors now driving growth.  Tech startups  are flourishing in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, supported by government venture funds and a growing pool of talent.  Smart cities  like Masdar City and NEOM are not just futuristic concepts but active testbeds for sustainable living and business. This has triggered record  FDI inflows , with the UAE securing its position as the 16th largest global destination for foreign direct investment. The narrative is supported by hard data: a GDP growth projection of 4.6% in 2025...
Post a Comment
Read more