(ATR) Ten young Brazilian athletes were hosted by the Qatar Olympic Committee at their hospitality house, Bayt Qatar, receiving insight into the fascinating journey that lies ahead of them.
The athletes are part of the QOC’s ‘Shine’ Project, providing support and assistance to young athletes from disadvantaged backgrounds from across Rio de Janeiro – part of their legacy of the Rio 2016 Games.
From a field of 200 athletes who participated in the Shine Athletics Tournament earlier this year, 10 won the chance to train at the world-renowned Aspire Academy for Sporting Excellence in Qatar, with specialized coaching and sports science support.
At Bayt Qatar, the athletes were shown an interactive film about the Academy where they will train when they travel to Qatar in November. They were welcomed by QOC Secretary General, Dr Thani Abdulrahman Al Kuwari, who left the athletes in awe when he spoke about the experiences they would have in Doha.
Throughout their tour of Bayt Qatar, the athletes had the opportunity to learn more about the country of Qatar and its culture as well as the upcoming FIFA 2020 World Cup and other sporting institutions.
French football stars Christian Karembeu and David Trezeguet, who were also at Bayt Qatar, took the time to meet each athlete and talk about their experiences and pose for countless selfies.
"This is very different than what I am used to," athlete Sarah Santos Morais said. "The culture is different, I want to get to know more of the culture there. From the little I have seen here, over there it will be great! It will reach my expectations."
"They were so welcoming and I am very happy," another athlete Paola Moreira Rosa added. "I hope I can see more of their culture and learn more of everything for the rest of my life."
At the end of the visit, Dr Thani thrilled the athletes with one final surprise – tickets to Olympic athletics competition on August 16 when Qatar’s sporting hero Mutaz Barshim attempts to realize his dreams in the high jump final.
"The QOC is passionate about spreading the Olympic spirit far and wide, and touching the lives of people from around the world," Dr Thani said.
"It was a pleasure to welcome our Shine winners to Bayt Qatar tonight and share with them our culture, warm hospitality and passion for sport."
Written by Alice Wheeler in Rio de Janeiro.
Forgeneral comments or questions, click here.
20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about theOlympics is AroundTheRings.com, for subscribersonly.
Últimas Noticias
Sinner-Alcaraz, the duel that came to succeed the three phenomenons
Table tennis: Brazil’s Bruna Costa Alexandre will be Olympic and Paralympic in Paris 2024
Rugby 7s: the best player of 2023 would only play the medal match in Paris
Rhonex Kipruto, owner of the world record for the 10000 meters on the road, was suspended for six years
Katie Ledecky spoke about doping Chinese swimmers: “It’s difficult to go to Paris knowing that we’re going to compete with some of these athletes”
