LONDON — Four athletes are representing Saudi Arabia at the London Paralympics 2012 which begin Wednesday. The Kingdom's flag was raised at the Olympics Village, along with the flags of other participating countries, Sunday. The event marked the official arrival of the Saudi team at the village. The Saudi athletes are competing in seven different events. Osama Al-Shanqiti, the only Saudi athlete to have won a gold and a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics, will compete in triple jump and shot put. He has visual impairment. Hani Al-Nakhli is competing in discus throw and shot put. He has cerebral palsy. Saeed Al-Khaldi is taking part in 100m and 200m-T46. He is an amputee. Bassam Al-Hawal will compete in powerlifting — 100kg. The Kingdom made its Paralympic Games debut at the 1996 Summer Paralympics in Atlanta, with two competitors in powerlifting. The country has participated in every subsequent edition of the Summer Paralympics. All Saudis have competed in athletics or powerlifting. — SG
