Saudi Arabian skiing star Faiq Abdi has completed all his technical and physical preparations for the slalom competition at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The competition is scheduled to take place tomorrow, Monday, at the renowned Stelvio Ski Resort in northern Italy, amidst great anticipation for the Saudi participation in this global event.

Race details and participation timing

According to the approved competition schedule, the first round of the race will begin at 12:00 PM Saudi Arabia time, while the second and decisive round will take place at 3:30 PM. This participation marks the culmination of Abdi's second appearance in the history of the Winter Olympic Games, reflecting the development of winter sports in the Kingdom and its continued presence on the international stage.

A commendable performance in giant skating

The Saudi champion concluded his participation in the Giant Slalom competition held yesterday, Saturday, on the same course. Abdi recorded a total time of 2:53.41 minutes after successfully completing both runs of the race, in a fierce competition that included 81 elite skiers from around the world. This performance reflects his determination and resolve to represent the Kingdom in the best possible way among the sport's giants.

Official support and leadership presence

The Saudi delegation in Italy is receiving significant support and attention. His Royal Highness Prince Fahd bin Jalawi bin Abdulaziz bin Musaed, Vice President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee and head of the Saudi delegation participating in the Games, attended training sessions and competitions. This presence underscores the Kingdom's sports leadership's commitment to supporting athletes and providing them with all the necessary resources for success, in line with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 in the sports sector.

Historical context and strategic importance

Faiq Abdi's participation in the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics is of particular importance, as it solidifies Saudi Arabia's presence in the Winter Games, which officially and historicly began at the Beijing 2022 Olympics. His continued participation for a second consecutive Games confirms that winter sports in Saudi Arabia are not merely a passing event, but rather part of a long-term strategic plan to diversify the sports in which the Kingdom competes globally. Furthermore, competing on the Stelvio track, one of the most challenging and prestigious tracks in the world, provides the Saudi athlete with invaluable international experience and inspires a new generation of Saudi athletes aspiring to break into unconventional sporting fields.

Dutchman Arne Slot, manager of Liverpool FC, expressed his great admiration for the exceptional level and comprehensive contribution made by Egyptian star Mohamed Salah during the match that ended with the Reds' crushing victory over Brighton by three goals to nil, in the fourth round of the prestigious FA Cup.

The Egyptian King returns to shine at Anfield

Anfield witnessed a remarkable night as Liverpool rediscovered their brilliance, with Salah playing a pivotal role in the victory. The Egyptian star not only contributed his usual attacking prowess but also provided a crucial assist for his Hungarian teammate, Dominik Szoboszlai, who expertly scored the second goal. Salah then capped his performance by winning a penalty, which he converted himself, securing the win and marking his return to scoring form after a period of drought.

Curtis Jones had opened the scoring for Liverpool, netting his first goal in 58 games, paving the way for his teammates to take control of the match.

Slott praises the new defensive role

In his post-match comments, Arne Slot emphasized that Salah's return to the scoresheet was fantastic, but what truly impressed him was the Egyptian star's tactical discipline and immense physical effort in defense. The Dutch coach pointed out that Salah's contribution to the team's ball recovery and pressing of the opposition was a very positive aspect, going far beyond simply scoring goals, as is always expected of him. This, he said, reflects significant maturity and adaptation to the new playing philosophy.

Context of returning and responding to rumors

This impressive performance comes at a crucial time for Mohamed Salah and Liverpool, as it marks only his second goal for the club since November 1st of the season. The match gained particular significance given the intense speculation surrounding the Egyptian star's future before the recent Africa Cup of Nations, and the media reports of tensions or disagreements with manager Slot due to Salah being benched on several previous occasions.

However, Salah’s performance and his clear harmony with the coach’s instructions proved that he is fully adapted to his new and different role within the Dutch coach’s squad since his return from continental participation, which puts an end to the rumors and confirms the player’s commitment to his club.

Promising partnership with Soboslay

Regarding team relations, Salah heaped praise on his teammate and close friend Dominik Szoboszlai after the match, describing him as one of the best players in the world right now. This opinion was strongly supported by Slot, who emphasized that the Hungarian captain perfectly exemplifies Liverpool's successful policy of signing and developing young talent into world-class players, promising a bright future for the Reds' attack in upcoming domestic and continental competitions.