BEIJING – The first-ever Saudi Winter Olympics delegation arrived in the Chinese capital on Thursday to participate in the 24th Games — Beijing 2022. Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SOPC), is heading the Saudi delegation. Prince Abdulaziz expressed his utmost appreciation for the generous support of the Saudi government, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, and Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman for paving the way for Saudi athletes to participate and compete in the Olympic Games. Their effort was fruitful through the qualification of the Saudi rower, Hussain Alireza, to participate in Tokyo 2020, and now through the first-ever participation at the Winter Olympics through Alpine skier Fayik Abdi, who secured his place and qualified for Beijing 2022. For Saudis, participation in the Winter Games brings back memories of the nation's first Olympic appearance in Munich in 1972. They believe this moment is no different, as a new path has opened its doors to welcome more Saudis to compete and embrace a new sporting lifestyle. The Saudi Winter Olympics participation will see Abdi competing in the Giant Slalom event less than two months after securing his qualification points for Beijing 2022. The story of this historical participation came after less than two years of forming the Saudi Winter Sports Federation (SWSF), which oversees all Winter Sports activities in the Kingdom. This step is one of many steps to build on the successful Vision 2030 initiatives which aim to open new windows for the Saudi youth to pursue their dreams and go far ahead in fulfilling their sporting ambitions. In May of 2021, SOPC and SWSF launched a nationwide talent campaign seeking young Saudis to represent their country at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing. The campaign produced outstanding results, as six professional Saudi Winter Sports athletes, including Abdi, proved their readiness to take on the challenge and bring their nation to mark its first-ever appearance at the grand winter sporting event.
