JEDDAH, 12 April 2005 — The medal-rich centerpiece event of athletics in the 1st Islamic Solidarity Games gets under way today at the King Abdul Aziz Sports City with two gold medals up for grabs.

The final in the 10,000 meters and 20-kilometer walk are on cards as well as the semifinal in 3,000-meter steeplechase.

The first five of ten events in decathlon will also be contested and so are the first round in long jump, shot put, and 800 meters, along with the first round and semifinal of 400 meters, 100 meters and 110-meter hurdles.

Athletics is one event where Saudi Arabia are expected to win medals although they will be up against the Moroccan sprinters and athletes from Egypt, Tunisia and Algeria who make up the strong African challenge.

On the eve of athletics competition, Saudi Track and Field Federation President Prince Nawaf ibn Muhammad was brimming with confidence telling Arab News in an interview: “The Saudi team is on a mission to win the gold medals and that chances are good they will put on a good show.”

Of the games in general, Prince Nawaf said: “These Islamic games are very important especially at this time. It has taken place to show Islamic solidarity against the many challenges the Islamic world is facing these days. The games’ message is to spread peace and solidarity.”

He said Saudi Arabia have the ability to organize an event of this magnitude adding more than 1,500 academics and 3,000 volunteers are working to help make the First Islamic Solidarity Games a success.

Prince Nawaf said: “Individual competition is very important and it would get most of the spotlight in the games. I hope that it will attract more Saudi youths to athletics and discover new talents. The Saudi team are ready and we have the ability to compete in every game. The only thing that worries us are potential injuries to our athletes. I expect that we will have a good competition in the next few days of action.”

The games, according to Prince Nawaf, will not be the swan song for Saudi champion Hadi Souan Al-Somayli.

He said Souan still has more to give to Saudi sports and he will participate in the World Championship in Finland and in the Asian Games in Qatar.

Prince Nawaf ended the interview by saying “We will be able to achieve good results in athletics by working together and by strong will and determination.”