UAE cyclist Ahmed Al Badwawi failed to qualify for the men's C4-5 1,000m time trial final at the Paris Paralympics, finishing 22nd in his heat.
Al Badwawi was one of the country's flag-bearers at Wednesday's opening ceremony as part of a 13-strong squad competing at the 2024 Paralympics.
The Emirati was first out on the track at National Velodrome and finished in a time of 1 min, 13.100 secs ahead of Oskars Gailiss of Latvia.
Australia's Korey Boddington clocked the fastest time in 1:01.190. Defending champion and world-record holder Alfonso Cabello of Spain was third fastest (1:02.050).
Only the top six fastest progressed to Friday's final.
Shooters Ayesha Al Shamsi and Ayesha Al Mehairi also failed to progress in the mixed 10m air rifle standing SH2 qualification.
Al Shamsi finished with a total score of 630.1 from her five rounds to place 14th while Al Mehairi was down in 22nd with a score of 626.7.
Only the top eight advanced to the final, with Al Shamsi missing the cut off by .7 points.
The final UAE athlete in action Friday is Noura Al Ketbi who takes part in the women's club throw F32/51 event starting at 8pm UAE.
Safety 'top priority' for rival hyperloop company
The chief operating officer of Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, Andres de Leon, said his company's hyperloop technology is “ready” and safe.
He said the company prioritised safety throughout its development and, last year, Munich Re, one of the world's largest reinsurance companies, announced it was ready to insure their technology.
“Our levitation, propulsion, and vacuum technology have all been developed [...] over several decades and have been deployed and tested at full scale,” he said in a statement to The National.
“Only once the system has been certified and approved will it move people,” he said.
HyperloopTT has begun designing and engineering processes for its Abu Dhabi projects and hopes to break ground soon.
With no delivery date yet announced, Mr de Leon said timelines had to be considered carefully, as government approval, permits, and regulations could create necessary delays.
More coverage from the Future Forum
WHEN TO GO:
September to November or March to May; this is when visitors are most likely to see what they’ve come for.
WHERE TO STAY:
Meghauli Serai, A Taj Safari - Chitwan National Park resort (tajhotels.com) is a one-hour drive from Bharatpur Airport with stays costing from Dh1,396 per night, including taxes and breakfast. Return airport transfers cost from Dh661.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Etihad Airways regularly flies from Abu Dhabi to Kathmandu from around Dh1,500 per person return, including taxes. Buddha Air (buddhaair.com) and Yeti Airlines (yetiairlines.com) fly from Kathmandu to Bharatpur several times a day from about Dh660 return and the flight takes just 20 minutes. Driving is possible but the roads are hilly which means it will take you five or six hours to travel 148 kilometres.
