Are you ready for the Summer Olympics in Paris? I’m particularly excited to watch the swimming and track events, not to mention some tennis, taekwondo, basketball, and other sports. There’s so much to see! This year, over 10,000 people will compete – including athletes from across the Arab world.
And so, I thought I’d discuss a few Arab athletes to follow at the 2024 Olympics. These three Olympians are all medal contenders and stars with fascinating backstories.
Mutaz Barshim (Qatar)
Mutaz Barshim, a Qatari athlete of Sudanese descent, is one of the world’s top high jumpers. After grabbing silver at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, Barshim won gold in 2020 with a jump of 2.37 meters. That win in Tokyo was special, a joint victory with the Italian high jumper Gianmarco Tamberi. After both men failed to clear 2.39 meters, they agreed to share the gold. This was a rare Olympic decision — athletics’ first joint victory since 1912.
For me, this gesture personifies the Olympic spirit. The Games feature fierce competition and elite athleticism, but also showcase our shared humanity. They bring us together for a shared experience, witnessed on TVs worldwide.
So, what will happen this year? In October, Barshim won his third consecutive Asian Games title with a jump of 2.35 meters. Will Barshim beat that mark in Paris and will it be enough for another gold medal?
Ziad El Sissy (Egypt)
This Egyptian fencer, now 29 years old, is in the prime of his career. After placing 14th at the Tokyo Olympics four years ago, Ziad El Sissy won bronze at the 2023 World Championships in Milan and is now ranked #1 in the world for the sabre.
In some ways, I’m drawn to El Sissy through my own experience. I studied and worked in Cairo, and attended college in Michigan. El Sissy left Egypt to attend Wayne State University in Detroit, where he excelled as a fencer and graduated with a Bachelors and Masters in Engineering.
But more so, I am in awe of his passion and drive. El Sissy’s father Aly played basketball for the Egyptian national team, but never saw his son compete in the Olympics. Inspired by his family, El Sissy is back at the Olympics again and ready for a second attempt at gold.
Ahmed Hafnaoui (Tunisia)
Some say the Tunisian swimmer Ahmed Hafnaoui’s gold medal at the 2020 Olympics was a surprise. Sure, he was the slowest qualifier of the eight swimmers in the final for the 400 freestyle. And yes, he was only 18 years old at the time.
But he powered to a well-deserved victory, claiming his country’s only gold in Tokyo. His win is a testament to the power of determination and grit, the force behind an unexpected underdog, and the wonder of the Olympic Games where anyone can win.
Then only a teenager, Hafnaoui is now 21 years old and a known quantity. He’s excelled in other events, winning gold at the 800 freestyle and 1500 freestyle at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships in Japan and a silver in the 400. Unfortunately, after a disappointing run at the 2024 Worlds in Qatar, Hafnaoui revealed that he is dealing with an undisclosed injury and it’s unclear if he’ll defend his title in Paris. If you don’t see him there, look out for him in 2028!
What Next?
You can learn more about the Paris 2024 Olympians at this part of Olympics.com. Many of the profiles include biographical information, past victories and medals, personal bests, and more details.
Interested in other Arab athletes? I’ll also eagerly be following Dunya Abutaleb of Saudi Arabia (taekwondo), Khaled Al-Mudhaf of Kuwait (shooting), Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco (3000-meter steeplechase), and the Iraqi men’s soccer team. So many great events to watch!
Lastly, please check out other posts here on my blog! I cover everything from Middle Eastern literature and music to the region’s history, art, and cuisines. Most recently, we explored four astounding sites in Istanbul, studied the intricate characters and thought-provoking plots of seven novels by Saudi authors, and sampled the deliciously diverse world of Middle Eastern bread. Read these recent posts or subscribe here to get my next ones directly in your email inbox.
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