The Arab world will make a powerful statement at the Paris 2024 Olympics, with women leading the charge, comprising nearly one-third of the Arab contingent. 

From the cycling velodrome to the taekwondo mat, Arab athletes are poised to make history. Emirati cyclist Safiya Al-Sayegh is breaking new ground as the country’s first female Olympian in the sport.

The region’s leading prospects are Jordan’s Julyana Al-Sadeq, a taekwondo gold medalist; Egypt’s boxing star Yomna Ayad and weightlifter Sara Samir; and Moroccan marathon runner Fatima Ezzahra Gardadi. Moroccan-born Noor Slaoui is the first Arab equestrian to compete at the Olympics this year.

Saudi Arabia’s Dunya Aboutaleb will represent her country in the women’s 49 kg taekwondo event. Veterans such as Lebanese shooter Ray Bassil and Egyptian table tennis trailblazer Dina Meshref will be competing in their fourth Olympics. In contrast, young first-timers, like 16-year-old table tennis prodigy Hana Goda, are eager to make their mark.

This year’s Olympics will also witness Arab women competing in sports traditionally dominated by other countries. Morocco’s Aya Asaqas is poised to make waves as the first Arab woman to compete in skateboarding. At the same time, fellow Moroccan B-Girl Fatima Zahra El Mamouny will showcase her breaking skills on the Olympic stage.