Saudi Sport Minister: Leadership Support for Joint Arab Work Positively Impacts Youth

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi Sport Minister: Leadership Support for Joint Arab Work Positively Impacts Youth

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal has praised the leadership’s keenness to provide continuous support for joint Arab action during the Kingdom’s chairmanship of the 46th session of the Council of Arab Ministers of Youth and Sports.

The minister spoke on Tuesday at the 47th session of the Council at the Arab League in Cairo.

He expressed gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

The Saudi leadership’s support has significantly contributed to the development and excellence of Arab youth, with honorable and evident impact throughout the Arab world, he added.

The minister emphasized the importance of serious institutional work to fulfil the aspirations of Arab youth. He highlighted the need to strengthen joint Arab efforts to achieve development and progress.

Prince Abdulaziz affirmed that supporting and investing in youth is a national asset. He noted that sustainable and comprehensive development cannot be achieved without relying on youth and providing them with all elements of success and excellence, particularly in the field of sports.



Paralympic Triathlon Events Postponed Because of Poor Water Quality in Seine River

 View of the Seine river where the triathlon competition has been cancelled, during the 2024 Paralympics, Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP)
View of the Seine river where the triathlon competition has been cancelled, during the 2024 Paralympics, Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP)
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Paralympic Triathlon Events Postponed Because of Poor Water Quality in Seine River

 View of the Seine river where the triathlon competition has been cancelled, during the 2024 Paralympics, Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP)
View of the Seine river where the triathlon competition has been cancelled, during the 2024 Paralympics, Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP)

Paralympic triathlon competitions in Paris scheduled for Sunday have been postponed because of concerns about water quality in the Seine River after heavy rainfall, organizers said.

The 11 para triathlon events are now scheduled for Monday, if upcoming water testing allows, the Paris 2024 organizing committee and World Triathlon said in a joint statement.

Rainstorms hit the French capital Friday and Saturday. Heavy rains cause wastewater and runoff to flow into the river, leading to a rise in bacteria levels including E. Coli.

This is the second scheduled change for the para triathlon events. They had initially been scheduled to take place over two days, Sunday and Monday, but were moved to Sunday because of rain forecasts.

The disruption is another hiccup for the city’s efforts to clean up the river for future public swimming, one of Paris’ most ambitious promises ahead of hosting the Olympics and Paralympics this summer. The men's individual triathlon event during the Paris Olympics was delayed and several test swims were canceled because of high E. coli levels after rainfall.

Some Olympic triathletes fell ill after swimming in the Seine, though it is unclear whether that was linked to the river water.