Abu Dhabi: The first all-Emirati competitive team is set to participate in the ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi when the second edition of the season-opening World Series event gets underway on Abu Dhabi’s Corniche on Saturday.
The three-man team, comprising swimmer Obaid Al Jasmi from Abu Dhabi, cyclist Badr Ali Thani from Dubai and Fujairah-born runner Khalifa Al Nuaimi, will fly the flag for the UAE in the Age-Group category on the challenging Olympic-distance course alongside participants from 44 countries, including some of the world’s leading elite triathletes.
More than 2,000 athletes will swim, bike and run on courses laid out entirely around Abu Dhabi’s Corniche, starting from the Abu Dhabi Sailing and Yacht Club next to the UAE flag.
Starting at the age of just five, 34-year-old Al Jasmi has been a passionate swimmer for 29 years. After representing the UAE in the 2004 Athens Olympics, the 2008 Beijing Games and breaking dozens of national, Asian and GCC records into the bargain, the Emirati has his sights firmly set on the Rio 2016 Games as part of the UAE Swimming National Team.
Al Jasmi’s path to Olympic swimming greatness began in earnest at the age of 13.
As an adult, his 100-metre freestyle national best at the 2008 Beijing Games of 53.29 seconds bettered his record of 53.7.
“I am honoured to be selected by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council to pull together the first home-grown Emirati team to compete at the ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi,” said Al Jasmi. “Participating in an Olympic Distance event in my home country as part of an all-Emirati team, ahead of the preparations for my biggest dream, the Olympics, is an incredible opportunity to test my abilities alongside two great friends.”
Powering over the 40km cycle leg when Al Jasmi emerges from the 1,500m swim leg will be 35 year-old cyclist Ali Thani. Following in the footsteps of his father who was a cyclist for Al Ahli Club, Ali Thani has been a keen cyclist for over two decades, competing in regional and international competitions.
The baton will then be handed over for the final 10km leg of the race to runner Al Nuaimi who, inspired by his brother’s love for the sport, is set to run to the ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi finish line at the Abu Dhabi Sailing and Yacht Club. Al Nuaimi took up running in his teenage years, participating in major tournaments and competitions such as the Gulf Championship.
“One of our core beliefs at Abu Dhabi Sports Council is to find ways to support UAE based athletes and enable them to participate in world-class events at the pinnacle of their chosen sport, such as the ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi,” said Ahmad Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Director Of Marketing And Communications at Abu Dhabi Sports Council. “We’re constantly looking to further develop the role of sports and healthy lifestyles in the Emirate and UAE through continuously nurturing sporting talent across many different disciplines.”
