Action packed opening day of events for Team Qatar at Rio

Team Qatar’s athletes will dive straight into sporting action on a busy first day of Rio 2016 in Brazil with swimming, boxing, beach volleyball and table-tennis all competing on the opening day.

Leading the way, swimmer Nada Arakji is poised to make Qatar sports history in the pool at Maria Lenk Aquatic centre as she becomes the first lady from the country to participate in two Olympic Games following her debut in London 2012.

Arakji will swim on Saturday in the 100M butterfly ahead of seventeen year old Noah Al Khulaifi who will experience competition in the Olympics for the first time on Sunday in the 100M backstroke.

 Speaking from Rio, Arakji said: “It feels amazing to finally be in Rio. It’s been great so far and everyone has been so supportive from the Qatar Olympic Committee delegation on the ground to Team Qatar supporters back in Doha and around the world. Being surrounded by world-class athletes like Michael Phelps pumps you up even more. I’m ready for some action in the pool,” she said.

“I know being here is already a massive achievement and something I’ll always look back at proudly. Hopefully it’ll inspire even more young females in Qatar to follow their sporting dreams. On Saturday, all I can do is give it everything and hope to compete strongly. I’d also like to wish every Qatar team member success,” she added.

Boxer Hakan Erseker, in the 60kg category, table-tennis player Li Ping, Team Qatar’s beach-volleyball team will also have their events on the competition’s opening day.

Having practiced at the iconic Copacabana Beach, Qatar beach volleyball player Cherif Younousse said: “Now’s the time to focus. This is all we’ve thought about, dreamt about and practiced for since we knew we would compete in Rio 2016. Everyone has come together with one focus.  We need everyone to help support us, everyone back home to get online and share the campaign #YallaQatar.” 

To follow the hopes and dreams of Team Qatar or to show your support and leave messages, please go to Qatar Olympic Committee’s social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and follow the #YallaQatar campaign or the QOC website at www.olympic.qa.