Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, Chairman of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, and his deputy Prince Fahd bin Jalawi bin Abdulaziz, attended the opening ceremony of the 33rd Olympic Games in Paris. The remarkable opening ceremony, which was held outside the stadiums for the first time in history, featured a parade of participating nations, with 206 countries represented on 100 boats that traveled approximately 6 kilometers along the Seine River. The event included many musical performances, fireworks displays, and segments showcasing French history and culture.
The Saudi flag was raised at the world's largest sporting event by historic rider Ramzi Aldahami, a member of the Saudi show jumping team, and his teammate, Taekwondo athlete Dunya Abu Talib. Aldahami expressed his pride in raising the Kingdom's flag at the Olympic event alongside Dunya Abu Talib, noting that this moment is a source of pride and a dream for any Saudi citizen. He wished for him and his fellow competitors to deliver performances that reflect the reputation of Saudi sports.
Meanwhile, Dunya Abu Talib expressed her pride in raising the Kingdom's flag at the Olympic occasion, stating that participation in the Olympics is a dream for every athlete. She said, "I aspire to present an honorable level that reflects the support and interest that the wise leadership provides for sports in the Kingdom, along with the continuous follow-up from Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal."
The traditional Saudi attire worn by the Kingdom's representatives in the parade of participating nations garnered admiration from international media and attendees at the event. Most of the audience applauded the Saudi athletes as they entered the waters of the Seine. The traditional outfit, consisting of the Bisht and Shumagh for male athletes and the Dara’a for female athletes, showcased designs and engravings that reflect the rich heritage and cultural identity of the Kingdom. These outfits were designed by Saudi designer Aliaa Al-Salmi, who was selected from among 128 designers to create the Olympic team's uniforms.
Additionally, Saudi swimmer Meshail Al-Aid continued her training in preparation for her participation in the Olympic Games on Sunday in the 200m freestyle event. Al-Aid joined the Saudi team camp in Normandy after her Olympic participation was announced via "invitation cards" on July 9, before entering the Athletes' Village on Thursday.
