Fayik Abdi, Saudi Arabia's trailblazing Winter Olympian, is set to make his debut at the Asian Winter Games in Harbin, located in China’s Heilongjiang Province, this Sunday. This marks a significant milestone for Saudi Arabia as it continues to expand its presence in winter sports.
At 27 years old, Abdi first represented Saudi Arabia in the men's alpine skiing giant slalom event during the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, bringing his country's dreams to the icy slopes of the world's premier multi-sport event. Describing skiing as \"magic,\" Abdi shared that the sport offers an unparalleled thrill that he believes cannot be replicated.
In a recent exclusive interview on CGTN Sports Scene's Talk Sports series, Abdi conversed with Zhu Mandan about his pivotal role in advancing snow and ice sports within Saudi Arabia. His passion and dedication are evident as he highlights the country's increasing investments in developing winter sports infrastructure and talent.
Looking ahead, Saudi Arabia is gearing up to host the next Asian Winter Games in Trojena in 2029. Abdi, who played a crucial part in securing the bid, expressed optimism about the country's ability to learn from China’s extensive experience in promoting winter sports. \"We have a lot to learn from China, especially in how to foster a sustainable and thriving winter sports culture,\" Abdi stated.
Abdi's participation in the upcoming Asian Winter Games not only cements his status as a pioneering athlete for Saudi Arabia but also symbolizes the nation's broader ambitions in the realm of winter athletics.
Reference(s):
Saudi Arabia's first Winter Olympian set for Asian Winter Games debut
cgtn.com
