With their eyes fixated on making the nation proud, UAE’s equestrian team heads to battle it out at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The 2024 Olympics are in full swing — held at the City of Lights after a century (with the last one taking place in 1924). This time, the country has gone all -out to celebrate the momentous games. Like every other edition of the prestigious sporting event, this year has also welcomed renowned athletes from around the globe to bring forth their skills and earn medals for their nation. From the region, there have been several talented swimmers, fencers, cyclists, runners, and show jumpers who have skillfully represented their country on a global scale. Among them are UAE’s equestrian team, who will be partaking at the qualifiers to compete for a spot at the showjumping final at Chateau de Versailles today.
Below, a dive into the UAE equestrian team and its show jumpers who are representing the UAE at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Abdullah Al Marri
Omar Al Marzouqi
21-year-old equestrian Omar Al Marzouqi is all set to compete with his horse Enjoy de la Mure at the Olympics. Despite his young age, Al Marzouqi has already earned several medals, including silver at the Youth Olympics and Asian Games Individual, along with a bronze medal in the Asian Games Team sport. The athlete was also chosen to hoist the flag of the UAE at the opening ceremony. “Today I had the honor to hoist the flag of the United Arab Emirates at the Olympic Games in Paris 2024,” he proudly captioned the snapshot on Instagram.
Ali Hamad AlKirbi
Ali Hamad AlKirbi is the third and final member of the UAE’s equestrian team, following in the footsteps of his father Hamad Ali. Although this is the athlete’s first Olympics, he has previously competed in renowned events globally and earned one gold medal individually as a FEI Group VIl Young rider, and a second gold with his team at the Nations Cup Sharjah.
The three riders will be be competing in individual events and team events alongside their chef d’equipe (team leader) William Funnell, who is a four-time Hickstead Derby-winner and European Championship team gold medalist for Britain. The team is set to battle it out for team qualifiers today — so keep your eyes set on the screens to cheer for team UAE.