Tuesday 16 / April / 2024
Rio de Janeiro: Oman’s ace sprinter Barakat Al Harthi arrived in Rio de Janeiro on Tueday even as the other two athletes of the Sultanate who will be competing in their respective disciplines in the coming days are gearing up for Olympic action.
Among the four who are representing the Sultanate at the Rio Games, Barakat is the only athlete to have achieved the qualifying mark while the other three received wild card invitations to the Olympics.
Barakat achieved his qualifying mark back in October 2015 when he won the 100m gold at the World Military Games organised in South Korea.
The whole of Oman is expecting Barakat to advance from the 100m qualifying heats and the star sprinter will start his participation with the first round heats on August 13.
Fellow sprinter Mazoon Al Alawi is all set to make her debut at the Olympics. The 18-year-old will be competing in the women’s 100m qualifying heats on August 12.
Meanwhile, shooter Hamed Al Khatri is undergoing intense training ahead of his participation in the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions. Hamed will start his participation on August 14.
Taha meets FINA chief
Meanwhile, Oman Olympic Committee Secretary-General and Oman Swimming Association chief Taha Al Kishry met world swimming body FINA’s president Julio César Maglione.
Julio Maglione lauded the role played by Oman Swimming Association in developing the sport in the country and the co-operation they have with the Asian and world swimming federation.
FINA’s Uruguayan chief also promised all the support for the Sultanate and help the association in further developing the sport.
