RIYADH — Despite all the challenges experienced in sports worldwide due to the outbreak of coronavirus, The Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee (SAOC) managed to deliver tremendous achievements during the year 2020.
This year witnessed many activities, events and achievements of SAOC led by its President Prince Abdulaziz Bin Turki Al-Faisal, marking some truly magnificent memories that will last forever in the hearts and minds of the Saudi Olympic family.
From the National Football team qualifying to the Tokyo Olympic Games for the first time since Atlanta 1996, launching the first ever National Games, to the election of Princess Reema Bint Bandar as an IOC member and the selection of Riyadh to host the 22nd Asian Games 2034, the year 2020 will not only be remembered as one of the most challenging years in the history of sport due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but also as a year of considerable achievements for Olympism in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
January 23
The Saudi Olympic football team qualified for the Tokyo Olympics 2020, after an absence of nearly 24 years.
January 27
Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee, celebrated the “Green Falcons” Olympic qualifiers in a reception attended by a group of Saudi football stars who had previously qualified for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and Atlanta 1996.
February 26
Announcing the largest sporting event in the history of Saudi sports, the "Saudi Games” which were to be held for the first time in history in addition to the qualification of Table tennis player Ali Alkhadrawi to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
March 8
The Saudi Games is postponed until further notice, based on the committee's recommendations concerned with following up on developments in the spread of the new coronavirus (COVID-19).
March 16
SAOC activated a full e-Work from Home System through multiple services for all its employees, athletes and sport federations as precautious measurement to protect the health and safety of all members of the sport sector.
March 16
SAOC launched the "Train at Home" campaign as part of its endeavors and efforts in line with the precautionary measures to confront coronavirus. The campaign witnessed a significant interaction between Saudi sports stars, professionals and sports media, and the Olympic Committee, which succeeded in motivating even non-athletes to practice sports and stay at home.
April 24
The month of April, which coincided with the blessed month of Ramadan, witnessed the launch of the SAOC distinguished event called "The Olympic Question", which saw several prominent sports figures posing a question directed to the athletes and the public, such as Prince Abdulaziz Bin Turki Al-Faisal and Prince Nawwaf Bin Faisal, as well as the former president of the Saudi Football Association Ahmed Eid.
April 30
The launch of the "Athletes Session" program, which included on several episodes several prominent athletes at the level of Saudi sports, who spoke about their distinctive experiences, shedding light on the path that must be followed in order to reach the summit.
June 23
In a unique event, SAOC celebrated the "Olympic Day" remotely, recalling the three Olympic values of friendship, respect and excellence with all society segments.
July 17
Princess Rima Bint Bandar Bin Sultan was elected a member of the International Olympic Committee as new achievement for Saudi women in sports.
August 29-30
Organizing the Saudi International Athletes Forum, the first of its kind in the Kingdom, which discussed the participation of international sports organizations, and many affairs of athletes during and after their retirement.
September 23
The Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee celebrated the Saudi National Day by honouring a group of athletes who served in the frontline during the COVID-19 pandemic.
October 5
Prince Abdulaziz Bin Turki Al-Faisal has officially inaugurated the Bid Book for Riyadh's candidacy to host the 2030 Asian Games.
November 17
The Saudi Olympic Committee and the Saudi Secretariat of the G20 co-organized the "G20 NOCs Conference”. The conference saw the participation of the IOC President Dr Thomas Bach as an Honorary Chair, the General Director of the WHO, and many international sporting bodies to showcase the value that sports can add to contribute in a post COVID-19 recovery plans.
November 27-28
SAOC organized the first conference of “Gender Equity and Women Leadership” in partnership with the International Taekwondo Federation and the presence of Dr. Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Dr. Chungwon Choue, president of World Taekwondo and Prince Abdulaziz Bin Turki Al Faisal president of SAOC.
December 16
The General Assembly of the Olympic Council of Asia has chosen Riyadh to host the 2034 Asian Games. — SG
