‘A great honor’: Paralympic champion Al-Qurashi represents Saudi from Paris Olympics to Venice red carpet

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Paralympian Abdulrahman Al-Qurashi, a gold medalist last year in Paris, has become a symbol of the Kingdom’s growing global stature in sports and culture.

While recently training in Poland for the World Para Athletics Championship in New Delhi, Al-Qurashi received an invitation to walk the red carpet at the Venice International Film Festival, one of the world’s most prestigious cultural events.

“Representing the Kingdom at a global festival like Venice is a responsibility and a great honor. Our nation deserves to be represented in all arenas, whether sports or culture. My presence in Venice was a message in this regard,” Al-Qurashi said.

His presence in Venice was more than ceremonial. It came amidst intense international preparation, demonstrating that Saudi athletes can serve as ambassadors across multiple domains.

The combination of training in Poland and walking the red carpet in Venice, shows just how far Al-Qurashi has come in recent years.

Before Venice, the 27-year-old had already cemented his legacy in sports history. At the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, he became the first Saudi athlete to claim a gold medal in the 100-meter wheelchair race, clocking a personal best of 14.48 seconds.

“The victory was not just a personal moment, but the result of institutional support from the Paralympic Committee and the Ministry of Sports, along with a fully Saudi team standing behind me,” he said.

The Paris gold was more than just a one-off athletic achievement for Al-Qurashi.

It represented a shift in Saudi Arabia’s approach to Paralympic sports, aligning with Vision 2030’s goals of fostering talent, empowering individuals with disabilities, and positioning the Kingdom’s team as a competitive