AIPS / LAUSANNE: When Hussain Al-Hizam turned five, in 2003, several suicide bombings at residential complexes dominated public discussion from the city of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Two decades later, sports are taking center stage in Saudi territory, with the celebration of the third edition of the Arab Games in this city, and Hussain is one of the main protagonists.

He has represented his country in athletics since that bloody 2003, being just a child. After a successful youth career, the pole vaulter moved to the United States, where he began a campaign of achievements defending the colors of the University of Kansas and standing on the podium in multiple NCAA Division I championships.

Although Hussain holds the Saudi national record in pole vaulting (5.70 meters) and has just participated in his first Olympic Games in Paris 2024, his presence at the Saudi Games carries a meaning that transcends competition and the possibility of winning another medal.

The most important mission, he asserted, is to “motivate young people to engage in sports” and to recognize that through that way there are also “great opportunities to move forward.”

He said: “Encourage younger athletes that you’re not just limited in some specific fields, but we have more opportunities when it comes to sports, when it comes to any passion that those younger populations have. I guess that’s what we’re trying to do. We’re just trying to inspire everybody to do what they want to do and not just what they’re told or what’s the right way of doing certain things.”

An aspiration is to strengthen sports culture at a general level in Saudi society.

He added: “Not just in elite sports, more people practicing things and having a healthier environment among the population. That’s the main goal of these Games.”

From the perspective of the 26-year-old pole vaulter, the Saudi Games are a significant social contribution, as they provide a boost for developing local talent, as well as for other athletes in the Middle East looking to break through to the highest level.

He said: “It has opened a lot of opportunities regarding elite careers. There’s a lot of support that we’ve been getting from the Saudi Government when it comes to monetary incentives and encouragement. We’re very appreciative of what’s been happening in Saudi. We’re looking forward to growing the sport and establishing more elite athletes. We have a lot of progress to make.

“We just want to have an open career for everybody, if that makes sense. To me, as Saudis, we’ve had a lot of struggles in the past, not having people engage in sports in general. We want to make the country healthy. If the country practices sports, if they’re healthier, they’re just going to be more productive and we’re just going to have a healthier generation and a more productive country.”

According to Hussain, Saudi Arabia is building a new sports mentality. Sports, he highlighted, are an instrument of “cultural transformation”, even as the Middle East struggles to overcome war.

He added: “There are a lot of misinterpretations about Saudi. Everybody is welcome here. We welcome you with open arms. It’s a free world here. We want to have all sorts of careers, all sorts of things for everybody.”

Saudi Arabia has participated in 13 Olympic Games since Munich 1972. They have won four medals: two silver and two bronze.

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