Fayik Abdi, the pioneering Winter Olympian from Saudi Arabia, is set to showcase his skills at the upcoming Asian Winter Games in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province on Sunday. This marks a significant milestone in Saudi Arabia's growing involvement in winter sports.
At just 27 years old, Abdi made history by participating in the men's alpine skiing giant slalom event at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, representing Saudi Arabia in the frigid arena of winter sports for the first time. Describing skiing as \"magic,\" Abdi emphasizes the unique thrill it brings, a sensation he believes is unparalleled.
Saudi Arabia's commitment to winter sports has been on the rise, with substantial investments in recent years aimed at fostering talent and expanding infrastructure. This dedication culminated in Saudi Arabia being awarded the next Asian Winter Games, which will take place in Trojena in 2029. Abdi played a crucial role in the successful bid for the competition, illustrating his dedication to the sport's development in his home country.
In an exclusive interview with CGTN Sports Scene's Talk Sports series, Abdi discussed his efforts to promote snow and ice sports in Saudi Arabia. He expressed admiration for the Chinese mainland's approach to nurturing winter sports, suggesting that Saudi Arabia can draw valuable lessons from China's experience to accelerate its own progress in this field.
As Saudi Arabia continues to carve out its presence in the winter sports arena, athletes like Fayik Abdi are leading the charge, inspiring a new generation of skiers and snow enthusiasts in the region.
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Saudi Arabia's first Winter Olympian set for Asian Winter Games debut
cgtn.com
