Lebanon's Hassan Makes History with Win Over Eubanks
Jul 28, 2024; Paris, France; Christopher Eubanks (USA) hits the ball against Benjamin Hassan (LBN) in the men’s tennis singles first round during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade Roland Garros. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports Purchase Licensing Rights
Lebanon's Hassan Makes History with Win Over Eubanks
Jul 28, 2024; Paris, France; Christopher Eubanks (USA) hits the ball against Benjamin Hassan (LBN) in the men’s tennis singles first round during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade Roland Garros. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports Purchase Licensing Rights
Benjamin Hassan secured a landmark victory on Sunday as he became the first Lebanon player to win a match in an Olympic tennis event, stunning American Christopher Eubanks.
Germany-born Hassan, ranked 170th in the world, won 6-4 6-2 for one of the best victories of his career to fully vindicate being handed a Universality place by the ITF.
"I am unbelievably happy. We just enjoy it from the whole team. We are really proud and I'm also proud of myself," the 29-year-old told reporters.
"It was an unbelievable atmosphere. I was just trying to be calm because I didn't want to waste too much energy. When I won I could let it all out."
According to Reuters, Hassan did not even set about becoming a professional until the age of 22, having previously played just for fun. But now he is living the dream as an Olympian and has a second-round clash against Argentina's Sebastian Baez to look forward to.
He has thrown himself into life in the athletes village, amassing quite a collection of pins. "I think the most special one is Japan because I'm a huge fan of Japan. I like watching a lot of animated mangas," he said.
Hassan was not the only Lebanon player in the draw as Hady Habib lost to French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz on Saturday.
Hassan and Habib also lost in the doubles on Sunday.
King Salman Stadium Unveiled with 92,000 Seating Capacity for Major Events https://english.aawsat.com/sports/5044852-king-salman-stadium-unveiled-92000-seating-capacity-major-events%C2%A0
The King Salman Stadium and its sporting facilities will enhance sports activities, fostering a generation of athletic individuals following a healthy lifestyle, competing regionally and globally, and excelling in various sports fields. (SPA)
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King Salman Stadium Unveiled with 92,000 Seating Capacity for Major Events
The King Salman Stadium and its sporting facilities will enhance sports activities, fostering a generation of athletic individuals following a healthy lifestyle, competing regionally and globally, and excelling in various sports fields. (SPA)
The Royal Commission for Riyadh City and the Ministry of Sport revealed on Sunday the designs and plans for the King Salman Stadium and its sporting facilities - one of the world's largest sports arenas.
The stadium will serve as the Saudi national team's main headquarters and host major sporting events and activities.
Situated in northern Riyadh along King Salman Road next to King Abdulaziz Park, the stadium is near vital city sites such as King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh Metro station, and major roadways, ensuring easy access from all parts of the city.
The stadium's construction reflects the support of 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 of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The stadium also aims to back sports and athletes and develop the sector. It is part of endeavors to empower those athletes and boost their performance, significantly bolstering the Kingdom's status as a leading sports hub.
The stadium will serve as the Saudi national team's main headquarters and host major sporting events and activities. (SPA)
The design of King Salman Stadium and its sporting facilities has been approved, with completion scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2029.
Among several proposals submitted by six specialized international companies, the chosen design draws inspiration from the mountainous landscape, integrating with King Abdulaziz Park through a valley that intersects the surrounding stadium garden and green spaces. The companies worked on providing the best proposals to meet FIFA's requirements and the standards of sustainability and architectural excellence.
The main stadium's architectural design includes green walls and ceilings spanning over 96,500 square meters, drawing inspiration from local urban structures and aligning with environmental sustainability and green building standards. This design will establish a distinctive global sports architectural icon capable of hosting major local and international entertainment events, enhancing Riyadh's quality of life and elevating the city's global ranking as one of the "best cities to live in the world."
Covering over 660,000 square meters, the King Salman Stadium and its sporting facilities comprise a range of amenities for various sports activities, including commercial centers and recreational areas accessible to all age groups throughout the day, making the stadium a compelling destination for visitors from within and outside the Kingdom.
The main stadium will have a seating capacity of 92,000 and feature a 150-seat royal suite, 120 hospitality suites, 300 VIP seats, and 2,200 dignitary seats. Sustainable cooling systems for the audience seats and stadium floor, along with extended indoor screens for spectators, indoor gardens, and a walking track with a scenic view of King Abdulaziz Park atop the stadium, will offer visitors an exceptional experience.
The chosen design draws inspiration from the mountainous landscape, integrating with King Abdulaziz Park through a valley that intersects the surrounding stadium garden and green spaces. (SPA)
The general plan for King Salman Stadium includes multiple surrounding sports facilities spanning over 360,000 square meters, including two training fields as well as fan zones, a closed sports hall, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, an athletics track, and outdoor courts for volleyball, basketball, and padel tennis. These facilities cater to all age groups and are interconnected by a 9-kilometer-long sports track surrounding King Abdulaziz Park.
The King Salman Stadium and its sporting facilities will enhance sports activities, fostering a generation of athletic individuals following a healthy lifestyle, competing regionally and globally, and excelling in various sports fields.
It will also help provide the infrastructure necessary to keep pace with sporting developments and achieve Saudi Vision 2030's sports objectives. By hosting major global entertainment events and providing diverse investment opportunities, the stadium's sporting and commercial facilities will contribute to boosting investments and the local economy.
