Ali Thameem
Fathmath Dheema Ali and Ibadhullah Adam will be the Maldives’ flag bearers at the Paris Olympics 2024, confirmed the Maldives Olympics Committee.
Ibadhullah Adam was granted a universality slot at the Paris Olympics, after being selected by the Maldives Athletics Association. He has proven himself as the fastest Maldivian sprinter in the 100m category, which has earned him the opportunity.
Fathmath Dheema Ali, 15, will be the youngest Maldivian flag bearer in Olympics history. She is also the very first Maldivian to be qualified for an Olympics; without the need for a universality slot.
Dheema becomes First Ever Maldivian to Qualify for the Olympics
The parade of nations at this year’s Olympics will be a six-kilometre boat ride through the Seine River in Paris. The rest of the Maldivian contingent- Nabaha and swimmers Aan and Ulya – will accompany Ibadhullah and Dheema. This will be the first time in Olympic history that the parade protocol will be integrated into the rest of the opening ceremony.
Paris Olympics will also be only the second Summer Olympics where nations can present both a male and a female flag bearer. Badminton star Nabaha, who is preparing for her second Olympics this year, had been the joint flag bearer for Maldives at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, alongside swimmer Mubal Azzam Ibrahim.
