Saudi team participates in Beijing opening ceremonies
August 9, 2008
The Saudi Arabian Olympic team participated in the opening ceremonies at the 2008 Games in Beijing yesterday. The Games are taking place August 8-24.
Track and field athlete Muhammad Salman Al-Khuwaildi carried the Saudi flag into Beijing’s National Stadium, known as the Bird’s Nest, at last night’s opening ceremonies.
Five Saudi national teams qualified for the Beijing Games: equestrian, athletics, shooting, swimming and weightlifting.
Prince Abdullah bin Miteb is leading the seven-man equestrian team that qualified for the show jumping event. Joining the prince are veteran riders Kamal Bahamdan, Ramzi Al-Duhami, Prince Faisal Al-Shallan, Adnan Al-Baytouni, Abdullah Al-Sharbatly and 2000 Sydney Games bronze medalist Fahad Al-Eid.
The weightlifting team has two spots for the Olympic team. Also qualifying were Bader Al-Muhana for swimming and Saeed Al-Mutairi for shooting.
Saudi Arabia made its Olympic debut at the 1972 Summer Games in Munich, Germany.
