Tuesday 19 / November / 2024
Muscat: As the world watches Barakat Al Harthi explode from the blocks in the 100m sprint today at the Rio Olympics, few will realise the rocky road he endured just to be there.
Oman’s star sprinter’s road to Rio was beset with travel hitches from the moment he set off from home. By the time he got to Rio, after a missed flight connection and a re-routing via France, he discovered his luggage had not arrived. Luckily, Al Harthi always carries his running spikes in his hand luggage, which he carries on board flights.
But since his arrival on Thursday evening, the Omani sprinter has been wearing handout clothing given by Olympics organisers.
Today, at 4:30pm Rio time, Al Harthi will attempt to make history for Oman and break his own personal best time to proceed to the next stage in the highly competitive 100m sprint alongside the likes of Jamaican Usain Bolt.
He said he received a warm reception when he finally arrived in Rio de Janerio in Brazil and was welcomed by members of the Oman Olympic Committee.
By then he had missed a direct flight from Dubai to Rio due to technical faults with his previous flight from Muscat, waited for six and a half hours at Dubai airport before being put on an unscheduled flight to France where he waited for three hours before boarding a flight to Rio.
The airline has assured Barakat that the luggage will be found soon, but he is not sure when that is going to happen.
“My flight in Muscat got delayed due to technical faults which is why I missed my flight from Dubai to Rio and after waiting at the airport in Dubai for over six hours, I was put on a flight to Rio via France. After arriving in Rio I lost my luggage too but then I received a very warm welcome and I had a safe and excellent flight.
“I always keep my shoes and racing kit in my hand bag wherever I go, so that is safe with me.”
Barakat was welcomed at the airport by some members from the OOC and Taha Al Kishry, Secretary General of the Oman Olympic Committee, was waiting for him at the Olympic village where all athletes and delegates are staying.
“It was a very nice welcome for me and I was very happy and the place is amazing.
“The OOC has helped me with buying some new clothes in Rio since I lost my luggage. They have all been very kind and supportive. OOC has done its best of bringing me all the essential things and I thank it for providing me with everything I need.
“The Olympic village where everyone is staying is very safe and there is lots of security around us. I am just going around the place and I have seen many athletes and famous sportspersons who are all staying at this village.”
Barakat is due to compete in the 100m men’s event on Saturday where sprinting giants Usain Bolt from Jamaica, and Justin Gatlin from the United States will be the strongest contenders. Oman’s hopes will be with Barakat.
He has been training hard with his coach Mohammed Al Hooti and says that he will practice hard right up until the day of the race. “I am very excited and training hard, and I hope to do well.”
Barakat broke into the Olympics following his victory at the Military World Games in South Korea in October last year, where he sprinted to 100m victory with 10.16 seconds. His timing has improved since then after training camps in the USA, Bahrain and Bulgaria. The Olympic men’s 100m preliminary rounds start at 16.30 today, around 11.30pm Oman time.
With a personal best of 10.05 Al Harthi will have to summon up the sprint of his life to beat the likes of Olympic record holder Bolt, who holds a time of 9.58.
