As the 2024 Paris Olympics continue, Arab athletes have already made a mark by securing three gold medals, one silver, and two bronze.
Algeria, Bahrain, and Morocco have each won gold, with Tunisia adding a silver and a bronze to the tally, and Egypt contributing a bronze medal.
Algerian gymnastics star, 17-year-old Kelya Nemour, was the first to clinch gold for the Arab world in this year’s games, delivering a stunning performance on the uneven bars.
She was followed by Bahrain’s long-distance runner Winfred Yavi, who secured a gold medal in the women’s 3000-meter steeplechase, finishing first with a time of 8 minutes and 52 seconds.
Moroccan Olympian Soufiane El Bakkali added to the Arab gold count by winning the men’s 3000-meter steeplechase on Wednesday.
His victory marked Morocco’s first medal at the Paris Olympic Games and the third gold for the Arab nations.
In fencing, Tunisian athlete Fares Ferjani claimed the Arab world’s first Olympic medal in Paris by winning a silver in the épée competition, after a narrow defeat against South Korean Sanguk Oh with a score of 11-15.
Mohamed Khalil Jendoubi added a bronze for Tunisia in the men’s 58 kg taekwondo, defeating Spain’s Adrian Vicente Yunta.
Egyptian fencer Mohamed El-Sayed earned a bronze in the men’s sabre event, marking Egypt’s first medal at these games by defeating Hungarian Tibor Andrasi with a golden point score of 8-7.
In addition, Arab teams are poised for more success, with both Moroccan and Egyptian football teams set to compete for the bronze medal after their semifinal losses to Spain and France, respectively.
Algerian boxing star Iman Khalif also anticipates a gold or silver medal in the women’s 66 kg category after advancing to the final on Tuesday.
