Saudi Olympic, Paralympic Committee Vice President Visits Paralympic Team in Paris

Athletes Charles-Antoine Kouakou, Nantenin Keita, Fabien Lamirault, Alexis Hanquinquant and Elodie Lorandi hold up their torches after lighting the cauldron at the Paralympics Opening Ceremony in Paris, Aug. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
Athletes Charles-Antoine Kouakou, Nantenin Keita, Fabien Lamirault, Alexis Hanquinquant and Elodie Lorandi hold up their torches after lighting the cauldron at the Paralympics Opening Ceremony in Paris, Aug. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
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Saudi Olympic, Paralympic Committee Vice President Visits Paralympic Team in Paris

Athletes Charles-Antoine Kouakou, Nantenin Keita, Fabien Lamirault, Alexis Hanquinquant and Elodie Lorandi hold up their torches after lighting the cauldron at the Paralympics Opening Ceremony in Paris, Aug. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
Athletes Charles-Antoine Kouakou, Nantenin Keita, Fabien Lamirault, Alexis Hanquinquant and Elodie Lorandi hold up their torches after lighting the cauldron at the Paralympics Opening Ceremony in Paris, Aug. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SOPC) Vice President Prince Fahd bin Jalawi bin Abdulaziz bin Musaed has visited the Saudi delegation headquarters at the Athletes' Village in Paris. He was accompanied by board of directors' member Adwa Al-Arifi, and SOPC Chief Executive and Secretary-General Abdulaziz bin Ahmed Baeshen.

During Thursday’s visit, Prince Fahd met with the athletes, administrative staff, technical teams, and medical personnel to ensure that they had everything they needed for the Paralympic Games. He emphasized the importance of providing all the necessary support so that the athletes can compete and represent Saudi Arabia with honor.

Prince Fahd conveyed the greetings of SOPC President Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki and expressed his confidence in the Saudi athletes' ability to give their best and achieve positive results that meet the Kingdom's aspirations in the Paralympic Games.



F1 Rookie Colapinto Laughs Off 'Crazy' Messi Comparisons

Argentine Formula Two driver Franco Colapinto addresses the audience during an event with his sponsor Gulf, in Buenos Aires, Argentina August 12, 2024. Juan Lopetegui/Gulf/Handout via REUTERS/File photo Purchase Licensing Rights
Argentine Formula Two driver Franco Colapinto addresses the audience during an event with his sponsor Gulf, in Buenos Aires, Argentina August 12, 2024. Juan Lopetegui/Gulf/Handout via REUTERS/File photo Purchase Licensing Rights
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F1 Rookie Colapinto Laughs Off 'Crazy' Messi Comparisons

Argentine Formula Two driver Franco Colapinto addresses the audience during an event with his sponsor Gulf, in Buenos Aires, Argentina August 12, 2024. Juan Lopetegui/Gulf/Handout via REUTERS/File photo Purchase Licensing Rights
Argentine Formula Two driver Franco Colapinto addresses the audience during an event with his sponsor Gulf, in Buenos Aires, Argentina August 12, 2024. Juan Lopetegui/Gulf/Handout via REUTERS/File photo Purchase Licensing Rights

Rookie Franco Colapinto on Thursday brushed off talk of him being Formula One's Lionel Messi as he prepares for his debut at the Italian Grand Prix.

Colapinto will become the first Argentine driver to compete in F1 in over two decades this weekend in Monza after replacing struggling Logan Sargeant for Williams, according to AFP.

His appointment delighted fans of the sport back home, but asked whether he felt like football icon Messi before the last World Cup, Colapinto said such talk was "crazy".

"It's very difficult to feel as Lionel Messi, I don't know how it is to feel that," Colapinto told reporters.

"But sometimes I see that they compare me and I'm like, you guys are crazy, like Messi is God, it's like you cannot, how are you comparing me?"

Colapinto hasn't set high expectations for his debut with Williams, who have a paltry four points in the F1 constructors' championship.

"I am not expecting much... I just want to go step by step, I want to focus on myself," he added.

"That's the main thing I think. To be able to be focused on my job. To be able to do what the team expects. And I am, to be honest, more than sure that I can do it."

The action gets underway at Monza on Friday with the first two of the weekend's three practice sessions.