Sprinters Mazoon, Ali chases new records at Paris 2024 Olympics
Ali in perfect shape for outstanding Olympic show; Coach Fahad says
Oman’s women Olympic sprinter, Mazoon al Alawi, will chase up for a different show in her third Olympic presence as she will compete in the preliminary heats of the Women’s 100m race event on Friday at Stade de France. The fastest Omani women previously had participated in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympics. In her last Olympics, she finished sixth with a timing of 12.35 seconds in the preliminary heats of Group 3 in 100m while she had delivered much better at Rio 2016 Olympics after she had clocked 12.43 seconds.
The national youngster sprinter Ali al Balushi will commence his Olympic debut on Saturday in the Men’s 100m race
at the same venue which will host athletic events since its construction in 1998. Al-Balushi, who secured spot to Paris 2024 Olympics will eye to show a promising performance and achieve advanced times despite the expected tough competition. Entering the race with high spirits, al Balushi will look to determine to represent Oman honorably in this major Olympic prestigious event.
Both athletes are underway in their daily training sessions on main track to adapt with the competitions environment ahead of the Olympic challenge in coming days.
Intensive program for Ali
National head coach Fahad al Mashaykhi, one of the competent national coaches overseeing the preparation and training of Ali Al-Balushi, stated that the preparatory and technical program for al Balushi started in August 2023. “ The goal was to develop the required speed for such races starting with indoor races over shorter distances. We treated 60m indoor race during a training camp in Turkey last January breaking Omani record with a timing of 6.58 seconds,” he added
“ Ali took part in several overseas camps and external competitions and events including the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships in Iran where he won first place clocking a time of 6.50 seconds to set both Omani and Gulf records,”
“From March to April, the training took place internally at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Muscat. In the following month, Ali had participated in international athletics meets including the Grand Prix in Dubai and few camps in Europe including two camps in Greece, one in the Czech Republic and one in Germany—achieving his best time of 10.17 seconds.”
“ The sprinter had participated at the West Asian Championships in Iraq last May and it is followed by camps in France, Italy, and Antalya in Turkey during month of July. Then, he had competed at Arab Youth Championships in Egypt where he managed to win two gold medals with timing of 10.00 seconds in the 100m event and 20.68 seconds in 200m,” he ended
Essential presence for shooter Khatri
Saud al Abadi, the national shooting team manager, highlighted that international shooter Said al Khatri’s debut attendance in Paris 2024 Olympic Games was positive and significant. “ He competed alongside top-ranked shooters worldwide. Despite the final result, Khatri’s presence in the Olympics is a strong addition to his career as it is helping him to improve his international ranking,” he said
Khatri finished his first Olympic participation in 30th place in the preliminary qualifiers for the Men’s Trap Shooting event with a total score of 114 points. Over two days, he competed in five rounds at the main range of the Châteauroux Shooting Center. On the first day, he scored 70 points, with 23 points in the first round, a perfect 25 in the second while he struggled in the third with 22 points. On the second day, he scored 21 points in the fourth round and 23 points in the fifth round.
“ Olympic participation will contribute to his sporting journey and enhances his international ranking. This progress will place him in a favorable position in future international events and championships where he will strive to prove his worth and benefit from the experience,” he ended.
