Bahrain celebrated the 2016 Olympic Day at Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir with hundreds of participants and thousands of spectators witnessing this special event.
It was the concluding day of this two-week-long event, organised by Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC). Olympic Day is celebrated all over the world on June 23 every year, but this year’s edition was held in advance as the original date falls during Ramadan.
His Majesty the King’s Representative for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, Supreme Council for Youth and Sports chairman, BOC president and event patron Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa declared the start of the final day activities in presence of Supreme Council general secretary and BOC vice-president Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa.
Shaikh Nasser, along with BOC general secretary Abdulrahman Askar and other high-ranking sports officials and sports clubs and federations, toured the venue where a variety of activities were taking place.
“This occasion observes the Olympic values of fair play, perseverance, respect and sportsmanship,” said Shaikh Nasser.
“Our purpose of hosting this event is to celebrate the three pillars of the International Olympic Committee: Move, Learn and Discover. It is also to share the international Olympic Community’s efforts in promoting the principles of Olympicism and noble human values”.
The day’s main activities included running races in four categories and an open cycle race, organised in cooperation with Bahrain Roadrunners and Bahrain Cycling Association respectively.
Other activities included face colouring, parachute air show, karate and judo performances, best looking motorbike contest, children competitions and games.
But the main attraction of the day was the running races with more than 300 men and women athletes of different ages and nationalities taking part.
Mousa Kareem won the men’s 19 to 39 age category race ahead of Abdullatif Ayat and Ahmed Joda, who finished second and third respectively.
In the women’s races, Zahra Mohammed (19-39 years) and Kizzy Price (15-18 years) raced to victory.
Bahrain’s national team cycling ace Sayed Ahmed Khalil won the 30-39 years title. He was followed by Mansoor Mohammed and Yahya Aldeeb in second and third places respectively.
In the women’s division, Muneera Sameer topped the race while Khulood Abdulaziz was second and Amal Sameer third.
There was also a race for people with special needs and it was won by Noora Al Dossary. Yasmine Saad was second and Fatma Abdulrazzaq third.
Askar honoured the winners and thanked Al Khalaf International, Gulf Air and La Shish Restaurant for supporting this year’s event.