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(Reuters) – You may be forgiven for pondering the Beijing Winter Olympics subsequent month won’t be the form of occasion at which to anticipate athletes from Saudi Arabia. But assume once more.
Saudi skiers Salman Al-Howaish and Fayik Abdi have certified to compete in Alpine snowboarding races on the Beijing Games, in response to the Saudi state information company SPA.
The large slalom has attracted opponents from international locations with no medal profitable file within the sport, akin to violinist Vanessa Mae who competed for Thailand on the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Al-Howaish certified for the slalom and Abdi for the large slalom, in response to the worldwide snowboarding federation (FIS) web site.
Final locations are but to be assigned by the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, however Saudi Arabia, the place temperatures can hit 52 levels Celsius, has overcome the primary hurdle in its quest to take part in its first Winter Olympics.
The Games run from Feb. 4-20.
Other nations at present on the checklist to compete in opposition to Alpine skiers from international locations akin to Austria and Norway in Beijing embody India, Brazil, Ghana, Haiti and the Philippines.
(Reporting by Shadia Nasralla; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
