Paris: The delegation from Oman participated in the historic inauguration ceremony of the 33rd Summer Olympic Games, which took place along the Seine River in Paris, 2024, on Friday. The event spanned four hours and was graced by top dignitaries, including French President Emmanuel Macron, alongside numerous heads and representatives from various countries, with the presence of Thomas Bach, the President of the International Olympic Committee, and a large public audience.
Oman's Sheikh Khalid Mohammed Al Zubair, the Chairman of the Oman Olympic Committee (OOC) and the head of Oman's delegation to the Paris 2024 Olympics, took part in the official opening ceremony. Additionally, Basil bin Ahmed Al Rawas, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Youth for Sports and Youth Affairs, was among the distinguished guests, alongside Ambassador Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Oraimi, Oman's Ambassador to France, and several members of the Oman Olympic Committee's Board of Directors.
The delegation from Oman made a distinguished appearance at the official opening ceremony through the participation of its sports team members, who proudly wore traditional Omani attire and carried the Omani flag.
The delegation shared the same boat with delegations from New Zealand, Uganda, and Pakistan.
The Omani delegation was represented by athlete Ali Anwar Al Balushi, who is making his Olympic debut, and female sprinter Mazoon Al Alawi, who is participating in her third consecutive Olympics, who had the honor of carrying the Omani flag during the parade of athletes via boats.
" This moment is of great significance to me to be selected as the national delegation flag bearer. I have had the privilege of experiencing historic and pivotal moments in my sports career, and the joy of qualifying directly for the Olympics was magnified when I was chosen to represent my beloved country in this prestigious sporting and global event. I would like to extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to the officials of the Oman Olympic Committee for selecting me and my fellow runner Mazoon Al Alawi," said the sprinter.
On the other hand, Mazoon Al Alawi expressed her pride in raising the Omani flag during the official ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics.
" I had the opportunity to participate in the Olympics twice before, but this participation was unique as I had the honor of being one of the flag bearers for Oman. The atmosphere at the opening ceremony was incredibly enjoyable, with the rain adding an extra layer of beauty to the event. I did not anticipate the official opening of the Olympics to be held in such a distinctive manner, as we are accustomed to it being held in main stadiums. However, it was a remarkable decision by the organizers to hold it outside the main stadium, where we were on a boat," she added.
Mazoon Al Alawi will compete in the 100 metres event on August 2 at the France De Stadium. " I am committed to delivering my best performance in the upcoming event," she concluded.
Opening Ceremony
The official commencement of the 2024 Olympics was marked by a series of captivating segments, culminating in a Spectacular Show. The ceremony, which took place under the canopy of a rainy sky, spanned approximately four hours along the Seine River.
A unique aspect of this edition of the Olympics was the athlete boat parade route, which diverged from its predecessors by integrating the athletes' entry procession with a variety of artistic segments. Athletes from across the globe journeyed through Paris, moving from east to west, aboard over 85 boats and ferries, each proudly displaying their national flags during a six-kilometer-long boat parade.
More than 500,000 spectators were in attendance to witness the ceremony in person, with viewing areas designated by the organizing committee attracting a significant portion of the audience. Additionally, spectators enjoyed the event from balconies and apartments that offered panoramic views of the river, contributing to a truly festive atmosphere.
The ceremony showcased a number of French sports icons and legends, including Zinedine Zidane, a renowned French football player, alongside other notable athletes such as Carl Lewis from the United States, Serena Williams from the United States, Nadia Comaneci from Romania, and Rafael Nadal from Spain.
Shooter Said Commits to Official Training
Shooter Said Al Khatri, representing the national shooting team, is set to commence his official training on Sunday at the Châteauroux Shooting Center.
The organizing technical committee has designated the morning hours for all participants in the Men’s Trap Shooting event to engage in practice sessions on the main range. This allocation provides a crucial opportunity for shooters to train and acclimate to the range prior to the commencement of the official competitions on Monday and Tuesday.
The national shooter is scheduled to begin his participation in the qualifying rounds of the Men’s Trap event on both Monday and Tuesday.
"I have had exceptional training sessions over the past few days due to my early arrival in France. It has been an extraordinary experience training alongside athletes from various nations. This is my inaugural experience at the Olympics, and it serves as a significant source of motivation to perform at my utmost to represent my country in this historic event. The opportunity to train at the shooting ranges in advance has been immensely beneficial for the competition atmosphere and for familiarizing myself with the equipment. Additionally, I have become more adept at adapting to various weather conditions and other natural elements. I am eager to achieve top records," he stated.
