Emirati swimmer Yousuf Al Matrooshi has raised the UAE flag at the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony.
The event was held at the Olympic Stadium on Friday without spectators due to Covid-19.
Al Matrooshi said he was happy to bear the UAE flag and extended his “thanks, appreciation and gratitude” to the National Olympic Committee, led by Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed, for granting him the honour.
Shehab Al Faheem, the UAE ambassador to Japan, who attended the ceremony, said the event stirred feelings of pride among Emiratis.
"Our wise leadership spared no effort to provide continuous support to the UAE hero athletes in all sports," he said.
“We look forward to seeing the UAE flag flying high during this global event."
The opening ceremony was also attended by engineer Aza bint Suleyman, assistant secretary general for the Administrative and Financial Affairs of the National Olympic Committee.
Al Matrooshi is part of a five-member squad competing in the 32nd Olympic Games, the UAE's smallest contingent since the nation first participated in Los Angeles in 1984.
The Dubai resident, 18, received a wildcard for the 100-metre freestyle at Tokyo.
“The Olympics is an experience that I can take forward to the worlds and compete in front of my people, family and friends,” Al Matrooshi said.
Almost 83,911 athletes competing in 339 competitions are taking part in this year’s Games.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
The Bio
Favourite Emirati dish: I have so many because it has a lot of herbs and vegetables. Harees (oats with chicken) is one of them
Favourite place to go to: Dubai Mall because it has lots of sports shops.
Her motivation: My performance because I know that whatever I do, if I put the effort in, I’ll get results
During her free time: I like to drink coffee - a latte no sugar and no flavours. I do not like cold drinks
Pet peeve: That with every meal they give you a fries and Pepsi. That is so unhealthy
Advice to anyone who wants to be an ironman: Go for the goal. If you are consistent, you will get there. With the first one, it might not be what they want but they should start and just do it
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
All kick-off times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Saturday
Liverpool v Manchester United - 3.30pm
Burnley v West Ham United - 6pm
Crystal Palace v Chelsea - 6pm
Manchester City v Stoke City - 6pm
Swansea City v Huddersfield Town - 6pm
Tottenham Hotspur v Bournemouth - 6pm
Watford v Arsenal - 8.30pm
Sunday
Brighton and Hove Albion v Everton - 4.30pm
Southampton v Newcastle United - 7pm
Monday
Leicester City v West Bromwich Albion - 11pm
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
