عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Sports

Saudi Arabia Presents Bid to Host 2025 Olympic Esports Games

File photo of Saudi flag/Asharq Al-Awsat
File photo of Saudi flag/Asharq Al-Awsat
TT
TT

Saudi Arabia Presents Bid to Host 2025 Olympic Esports Games

File photo of Saudi flag/Asharq Al-Awsat
File photo of Saudi flag/Asharq Al-Awsat

The 142nd session of the International Olympic Committee (142nd IOC Session), held on Tuesday in Paris, reviewed Saudi Arabia's bid to host the inaugural Olympic Esports Games in 2025.
The session was chaired by IOC President Dr. Thomas Bach and attended by IOC members.
President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SOPC) Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, delivered a presentation during the session on Saudi Arabia's readiness and vision for hosting this historic and unprecedented event, SPA reported.
He detailed the Kingdom's capabilities, noting that it has hosted over 100 international sports events since the launch of the Saudi Vision 2030.
Moreover, IOC member Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan, reviewed the significant roles of sports in the Kingdom, highlighting its contributions to sustainability and enhancing global sports standards.
The session commended Saudi Arabia's bid to host the games, affirming that the Kingdom is the best choice for hosting the inaugural Olympic Esports Games due to its expertise and skills in this field.
The official Saudi delegation at the session included SOPC Vice President and Head of the Saudi Delegation to the Paris Olympics Prince Fahd bin Jalawi bin Abdulaziz bin Musaed; Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Esports Federation (SEF) Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan; and the CEO and Secretary General of the SOPC, Abdulaziz Baeshen.

Most Viewed

 
 
Sports

Swiatek Surprised at ‘Such Harsh Judgements’ After Indian Wells Ball Boy Incident 

Iga Swiatek of Poland shows her frustration to the umpire during her three-set defeat against Mirra Andreeva in their semi-final round match during the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 14, 2025 in Indian Wells, California. (Getty Images/AFP)
Iga Swiatek of Poland shows her frustration to the umpire during her three-set defeat against Mirra Andreeva in their semi-final round match during the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 14, 2025 in Indian Wells, California. (Getty Images/AFP)
TT
TT

Swiatek Surprised at ‘Such Harsh Judgements’ After Indian Wells Ball Boy Incident 

Iga Swiatek of Poland shows her frustration to the umpire during her three-set defeat against Mirra Andreeva in their semi-final round match during the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 14, 2025 in Indian Wells, California. (Getty Images/AFP)
Iga Swiatek of Poland shows her frustration to the umpire during her three-set defeat against Mirra Andreeva in their semi-final round match during the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 14, 2025 in Indian Wells, California. (Getty Images/AFP)

World number two Iga Swiatek said she was not proud of the way she vented her frustration at Indian Wells, where she nearly hit a ball boy after smashing a ball into the ground, but added that she did not expect to receive "such harsh judgements".

The five-times Grand Slam champion was criticized heavily over the incident, which occurred during her 7-6(1) 1-6 6-3 semi-final defeat by eventual champion Mirra Andreeva on Friday.

"It's true - I expressed frustration in a way I'm not proud of. My intention was never to aim the ball at anyone but merely to release my frustration by bouncing it on the ground," Swiatek posted on Instagram on Monday.

"I immediately apologized to the ball boy, we made eye contact, and nodded to each other when I expressed regret that it happened near him.

"I've seen many players bounce balls in frustration, and frankly, I didn't expect such harsh judgements."

Swiatek added that the second half of last year was extremely challenging for her. She accepted a one-month suspension in November having tested positive for banned substance trimetazidine (TMZ).

"When I'm highly focused and don't show many emotions on court, I'm called a robot, my attitude labelled as inhuman. Now that I'm more expressive, showing feelings or struggling internally, I'm suddenly labelled immature or hysterical," Swiatek said.

"That's not a healthy standard - especially considering that just six months ago, I felt my career was hanging by a thread, spent three weeks crying daily, and didn't want to step on the court."