The Saudi Special Olympics delegation wrapped up its campaign at the 10th Special Olympics Middle East and North Africa Regional Beach Games in Hammamet, Tunisia, securing two silver medals and a fourth-place finish. The event, which ran from June 16 to 22, saw the Kingdom compete in three disciplines: unified beach volleyball, unified triathlon, and open-water swimming, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Beach Volleyball Team Clinches First Silver
The unified beach volleyball team delivered Saudi Arabia's first silver medal after advancing to the final, where they were defeated by the United Arab Emirates. The team's performance highlighted strong teamwork and resilience throughout the tournament.
Triathlon Adds Second Silver; Open-Water Swimmer Places Fourth
Saudi athletes added a second silver medal in the unified triathlon event, further boosting the Kingdom's medal tally. In open-water swimming, Mohammed Al-Olayan finished fourth in one of the most demanding races of the games, narrowly missing the podium.
Officials Highlight Technical Gains and Inclusion
Talal Al-Humaidan, director of communications and partnerships at the Saudi Special Olympics Federation, emphasized that the participation yielded clear technical improvements for the athletes. He noted that the regional games served as a vital platform to refine competitive skills through interaction with athletes from across the region. Al-Humaidan added that the experience also fostered friendships and promoted inclusion beyond the sporting aspect, marking another milestone in the federation's mission to enhance athlete performance and leverage regional opportunities in preparation for major international competitions. He stated that the results reflect ongoing efforts to develop athletes, prepare them for upcoming events, and empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to represent the Kingdom.
