04 Oct 2018
Buenos Aires, 4 October 2018. Aspire Academy’s student-athletes Owaab Barrow and Ahmed Al Haj are part of the team that is going to represent Qatar at the 2018 “Summer Youth Olympic Games”. The event, hosted in Buenos Aires, Argentina between 6 and 18 October 2018, gathers 4000 athletes representing 206 nations in 32 sports in the Under18 age category.
The international sports, cultural, and educational event is going be a highlight in the careers of the two 17-year-old student-athletes of Aspire Academy. Both of them are eager to make the most of this unique opportunity. “I am excited to see the atmosphere and the people there. My season has been long and successful so far with competing in the U20 World Championships and qualifying for Buenos Aires. Now I am going to Argentina to do well and hopefully to get a personal best,” says Owaab Barrow, who is going to compete in 110m hurdles.
“It’s been a great season so far for Owaab, who did a great progression in terms of what he has achieved at the World U20 Championships. So to be able to go there now at U18 level and take the next step, hopefully be in the final and run a personal best, would be a good achievement for him. On top of that, the whole Olympic experience can be a big motivation for the future and hopefully one day he can achieve the dream of being at senior Olympic Games,” Senior Sprints Coach Lee Christopher explains the significance of the trip to Argentina.
Discus thrower Ahmed Al Haj is not only looking forward to compete with the elite of his event in the U18 category, but also to experience the atmosphere and fans at the competition. “Because an enthusiastic crowd can give you an extra push. Furthermore, a big event like this allows you to gain more experience and motivates you to keep working hard in order to compete at many big events like this one.” Senior Throws Coach Ivica Jakeljic also sees the “Youth Olympics” as best preparation for future major events. “The young athletes are exposed to people from all over the world, they see how other athletes train and behave at such a big stage. It will be a great learning experience for Ahmed and I think he is able to achieve a good result.”
Aspire Academy student-athletes at the 2018 “Summer Youth Olympic Games”:
Owaab Barrow (110m hurdles): Heats: October 13; Final: October 16
Ahmed Al Haj (discus throw): Qualification: October 11; Final: October 15