Faiq Abdi concludes his participation in the Milan Cortina d'Azur 2026 Olympic Games
Saudi skier Fayeq Abdi concluded his second participation in the Milan 2026 Winter Olympics after competing in the first round of the slalom event. This participation further solidifies Saudi Arabia's presence in international winter sports, as Abdi is considered a pioneer in this field both within the Kingdom and the Gulf region.
Participation details and registered numbers
Abdi had previously concluded his participation in the giant skating competition held on the same track, recording a total time of 2:53.41 minutes after successfully completing both rounds. That competition witnessed fierce competition with the participation of 81 elite skaters from around the world, reflecting the scale of the challenge and the level of experience the Saudi athlete gained at this major international event.
Official support and leadership presence
The Saudi delegation's participation received high-level official attention, exemplified by the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Fahd bin Jalawi bin Abdulaziz bin Musaed, Vice President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee and head of the Saudi delegation. This presence underscores the strong support the Kingdom's sports leadership provides to various sports and its commitment to enabling Saudi athletes to participate in all Olympic events, both summer and winter.
From Beijing to Milan: The evolution of Saudi winter sports
Faiq Abdi's participation in Milan Cortina d'Azur 2026 cannot be viewed in isolation from the historical context of Saudi Arabian sports development. Abdi made Saudi Arabia's historic first appearance at the Winter Olympics in Beijing 2022, paving the way for a new generation of athletes. His second participation underscores the sustainability and evolution of this presence, demonstrating that it is not merely a fleeting, honorary appearance.
Winter sports and the Kingdom's Vision 2030
These participations hold strategic importance that transcends immediate results, aligning with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to diversify the economy and bolster the sports and tourism sectors. The Kingdom is currently working on mega-projects that support this direction, most notably the Trogina project in NEOM, which is preparing to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games. This makes the presence of Saudi champions like Faiq Abdi at the Olympics crucial for building a strong fan base and developing the technical expertise in these sports before hosting the major continental event.
