OLYMPICS – TEAM Bahrain swimmers Amani Al Obaidli and Saud Ghali expressed their pride in carrying the kingdom’s flag during the floating parade in the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics held on Friday night.
“It is a great honour that two swimmers were chosen to carry the flag at the opening of the Olympics,” said Al Obaidli, who will be getting into the water tomorrow in the women’s 100 metres backstroke heats.
“This is an appreciation for the entire swimming family, not just for us,” she added. “Personally, it was a historical moment that will remain in my memory forever, and I hope to always live up to the trust.”
Ghali added: “I extend my sincerest thanks to the Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) for choosing me to carry the kingdom’s flag in the world’s largest sporting event. It was a beautiful moment that I will never forget, especially in an extraordinary opening ceremony with a large audience.
“This motivates me to exert even more effort to develop my level so that I can live up to the responsibility in my sports career.”
Ghali is scheduled to make his competitive appearance in Paris on Tuesday in the men’s 200m breaststroke heats.
Meanwhile, Team Bahrain’s Chef de Mission at the French capital Ahmed Abdulghaffar, who is also the BOC executive director, was delighted with the national delegation’s distinguished participation in the floating parade.
Abdulghaffar hailed the efforts of the team’s administration, who co-ordinated with the opening ceremony’s organisers to get Team Bahrain their own boat for the floating parade, making for a unique appearance down the River Seine. Team Bahrain were one of only a few countries that had an exclusive vessel.
Abdulghaffar, who participated in the first-of-its-kind procession, added that they were fortunate it did not rain during their time on the water.
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