Ali Thameem
National swimming athletes Mohamed Aan Hussain and Aishath Ulya Shaig will compete in the Paris Olympics this year, confirmed the Maldives Olympics Association.
The International Olympic Committee’s universality places were awarded to the two swimmers. The universality slots for swimmers are awarded based on standards set by World Aquatics, the global governing body of swimming.
The swimmers were selected to compete in the Olympics based on points acquired in certain competitions organised by World Aquatics.
Maldivian athletes have competed in the Summer Olympics since 1988, via the tripartite slot allocation of the International Olympics Committee. This year is however the very first time a Maldivian athlete – Table Tennis star Aishath Dheema – has earned a place at the Olympics through the qualifications stage.
Aan and Ulya will be joined by Dheema (table tennis), Nabaha (badminton) and Ibadhullah (track and field) in the Maldivian contingent in Paris next month.
