Doha: The Qatari sports delegation participating in the Paris Olympics aims to achieve commendable results, with preparations proceeding well in anticipation of the Games, Chef De Mission Mohammed Saeed Al Misnad has said.

In an interview with the Qatar News Agency (QNA), Al Misnad explained that the final preparations are divided into two main aspects. Firstly, the administrative aspects managed by the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) through the delegation’s logistics team, which arranges all matters related to arrival in Paris, entry into the Olympic Village, and the provision of essential services for athletes, support staff, and administration.

Secondly, the technical aspects that pertain to the preparations of participating athletes, ensuring they are well-prepared through various preparatory tournaments, such as high jump champion Mutaz Barshim’s recent participation in Vienna.

He emphasized the importance of allowing all Qatari athletes to undergo final preparations in Europe to acclimatise to the environment, explaining that this will significantly impact the athletes by facilitating proper sleep, training routines, and climate adaptation. He highlighted the crucial role of such factors in athletes’ performance and mental presence during official competitions.

Al Misnad expressed confidence in the ability of Qatar’s champions to achieve more medals in the Olympic Games, noting the historic achievement in the previous edition held in Tokyo, where Qatar won three medals (two gold and one bronze). He affirmed that expectations and ambitions have risen, wishing success and luck to all athletes to replicate this honorable achievement.

The head of the Qatari sports delegation stated that Qatar topped the medal tally among Arab and Gulf nations at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, marking the best performance in the country’s participation history. 

Al Misnad believes this will serve as a positive drive and motivation for athletes to continue winning medals. He emphasized that qualifying for the Olympic Games is a great honour for any athlete and an opportunity eagerly awaited by all sportsmen.

Qatar will field 14 athletes representing five federations: athletics, volleyball, shooting, weightlifting, and swimming, in the 33rd Summer Olympic Games in Paris 2024.

The list of participants includes Mutaz Essa Barshim, Abderrahman Samba, Abubaker Haydar, Bassem Hemeida, Ismail Dawood, Ammar Ismail, Saif Mohammed, and Shahad Mohammed in athletics; Saeed Abu Sharab and Rashid Saleh Al Athba in shooting; Fares Ibrahim in weightlifting; Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan in beach volleyball; and Abdulaziz Al Obaidly in swimming.