The 2024 Paris Olympics wrapped up with a lively celebration, capping two weeks of intense competition and memorable achievements. For athletes from the Arab world, these Games were marked by a blend of challenging starts and triumphant finishes, ultimately showcasing their resilience and determination on the global stage.
While some athletes may have left Paris with unmet expectations, the Arab world celebrated historic victories and breakthrough achievements, with many athletes making their mark with life-changing performances.
A total of 17 medals were won, coming close to matching the region’s best performance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. These medals, spanning seven gold, four silver, and six bronze, were earned by athletes from seven different Arab nations: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Qatar, and Tunisia.
Bahrain emerged as a standout, with its athletes taking home the highest number of medals, including two golds. As the region reflects on these accomplishments, there is much to celebrate and even more to look forward to as the Arab world continues to rise in global sports.
Let’s take a closer look and honor these outstanding individuals who brought pride to their nations and made history at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Bahrain
Winfred Yavi – Gold Medal, Women’s 3,000m Steeplechase (Athletics)
Winfred Yavi delivered a stunning performance in the women's 3,000m steeplechase, winning gold with an Olympic record time. This victory added to her growing legacy, following her triumph at the 2023 World Athletics Championships. Yavi's win solidified Bahrain’s position as a powerhouse in middle and long-distance running.
Akhmed Tazhudinov – Gold Medal, Men’s Wrestling 97kg
Akhmed Tazhudinov clinched gold in men’s freestyle wrestling (97kg), showcasing his dominance with a first-round pin in the final. His Olympic victory capped off a remarkable year, following wins at the Asian Games and World Championships, making him a standout figure in wrestling.
Salwa Eid Naser – Silver Medal, Women’s 400m (Athletics)
Salwa Eid Naser added a silver medal to Bahrain’s tally in the women’s 400m sprint. Her performance marked a strong return to form after a previous suspension, demonstrating her resilience and exceptional sprinting capabilities.
Gor Minasyan – Bronze Medal, Men’s Weightlifting 102kg
Gor Minasyan secured a bronze in the men’s 102kg weightlifting category. His lifts were impressive, although he narrowly missed matching his lifetime best, solidifying his status as a top competitor in the superheavyweight division.
Morocco
Soufiane El Bakkali – Gold Medal, Men’s 3,000m Steeplechase (Athletics)
Soufiane El Bakkali retained his Olympic title in the men’s 3,000m steeplechase, becoming the first man in 92 years to win back-to-back Olympic golds in this event. His victory was a testament to his consistency and elite status in steeplechase running.
Morocco U23 Men’s Football Team – Bronze Medal
The Moroccan U23 football team made history by winning the bronze medal, the first-ever Olympic football medal for an Arab nation. Their victory was a continuation of their strong performance at the recent FIFA World Cup, where they also exceeded expectations.
Tunisia
Firas Katoussi – Gold Medal, Men’s Taekwondo 80kg
Firas Katoussi won Tunisia’s first-ever gold in taekwondo, triumphing in the men’s 80kg category. His journey from not qualifying for Tokyo 2020 to winning gold in Paris was marked by perseverance and hard work.
Fares Ferjani – Silver Medal, Men’s Individual Sabre (Fencing)
Fares Ferjani earned Tunisia’s first Olympic fencing medal, taking silver in the men’s sabre. His success was a result of years of dedication and hard work, particularly since the Tokyo Games, where he did not medal.
Mohamed Khalil Jendoubi – Bronze Medal, Men’s Taekwondo 58kg
Mohamed Khalil Jendoubi added a bronze to Tunisia’s medal tally in the men’s 58kg taekwondo category. Although he had been tipped for gold, his bronze was still a significant achievement, reflecting the depth of talent in Tunisian taekwondo.
Egypt
Ahmed Elgendy – Gold Medal, Men’s Modern Pentathlon
Ahmed Elgendy captured gold in the men’s modern pentathlon, setting a new world record with 1,555 points. His dominant performance across swimming, horse-riding, fencing, running, and shooting events solidified his place as a leading figure in this challenging sport.
Sara Ahmed – Silver Medal, Women’s Weightlifting 81kg
Sara Ahmed continued her legacy in weightlifting by winning silver in the women’s 81kg category. Competing in a higher weight class than usual, she demonstrated her strength and versatility, adding to her previous Olympic and world championship successes.
Mohamed El-Sayed – Bronze Medal, Men’s Fencing Épée
Mohamed El-Sayed won Egypt’s first medal of the Paris 2024 Games with a bronze in the men’s épée. His victory was a culmination of hard work, following a disappointing near-miss in Tokyo.
Algeria
Kaylia Nemour – Gold Medal, Women’s Uneven Bars (Gymnastics)
Kaylia Nemour made history by winning gold in the women’s uneven bars, becoming the first Algerian, Arab, and African gymnast to achieve this feat. Her decision to compete for Algeria, following a complicated relationship with the French Gymnastics Federation, added emotional depth to her victory.
Imane Khelif – Gold Medal, Women’s Welterweight (Boxing)
Imane Khelif won gold in the women’s welterweight boxing category, overcoming significant adversity and controversy during the Games. Her victory marked a significant milestone for Algerian boxing, following in the footsteps of past champions.
Djamel Sedjati – Bronze Medal, Men’s 800m (Athletics)
Djamel Sedjati won a bronze in the men’s 800m, continuing Algeria’s proud tradition in middle-distance running. Although he had hoped for gold, his bronze medal was still a significant achievement.
Jordan
Zaid Kareem – Silver Medal, Men’s Taekwondo 68kg
Zaid Kareem secured Jordan’s only medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, a silver in the men’s 68kg taekwondo event. His performance was a continuation of Jordan’s strong tradition in taekwondo, bringing pride to his nation.
Qatar
Mutaz Barshim – Bronze Medal, Men’s High Jump (Athletics)
Mutaz Barshim added a bronze to his collection of Olympic medals, completing his set of gold, silver, and bronze over multiple Olympics. His performance in Paris reaffirmed his status as one of the greatest high jumpers in history.
The 2024 Paris Olympics have highlighted the remarkable strength, perseverance, and rising influence of Arab athletes on the global stage. Despite facing various challenges, these athletes rose to the occasion, securing an impressive range of medals across various sports. From record-breaking performances to historic firsts, the achievements of these athletes have not only brought pride to their nations but have also inspired countless others across the Arab world.
As we celebrate their successes, it's clear that the future of Arab sports is brighter than ever. These accomplishments will undoubtedly pave the way for future generations of athletes, fostering a spirit of excellence and perseverance that will continue to elevate the Arab presence in international competitions. The 2024 Paris Olympics will be remembered not just for the medals won, but for the legacy of inspiration and hope that these athletes have left behind.
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