BERLIN: Against tall odds, four Saudi athletes will see action Thursday in the 12th World Athletics Championships at the Olympic Stadium here. Mohammed Al-Salihi, who is ranked 8th in the world, is Saudi Arabia’s brightest hope for a medal in the 800 meters.

Al-Salihi opens the Saudi bid in the morning session while long jumpers Hussain Al-Saba, 30, and Mohammed Al-Khuwalidi, 28, take their turn in the afternoon session of qualifying round alongside teammate Hussain Al-Yami in the 5,000 meters. “All I could say is that there is no fear, we have been competing against these athletes many times. But we have to bear in mind all who are competing are the best of the best and I pray to God I could do well,” said Al-Yami of his chances at victory. “13:11.14 was my qualifying record,” said Al-Yami adding the training plan for the worlds was not easy. They started in Morocco in the beginning of the year under the supervision of Saad Shaddad. He succeeded in several open tournaments and set that qualifying time of 13:11.14 many times over.

Al-Khuwalidi told Arab News his training had been delayed after he got married and was injured at the beginning of the year. It was only in May that he started training in Saudi Arabia, and in July he managed to travel to different German cities for further training. “I don’t know maybe it is because of my injury, but I feel confident and no pressure. I feel free and hopefully I’ll give it my best like what my colleagues did,” Al-Khuwailidi said.

Al-Khuwalidi added that the president of the Saudi Arabian Athletics Federation, Prince Nawaf bin Faisal, had been very helpful in working out an arrangement with his company Aramco to allow him to travel and compete abroad.

The pride and joy of Saudi athletics, Sydney Olympics silver medalist Hadi Souan and Shaddad, the first and only Saudi to win a 3,000 meters steeplechase gold medal during the world championships in 1995 in Sweden, both expressed high hopes for Saudi Arabia in the 800. “My fearless forecast is that that Al-Yami will reach the finals while Al-Salhi is widely tipped to deliver a medal based on his overall records this year,” said Shaddad.

Souan said that all four athletes are aiming to reach the finals and “hopefully they will.” A fifth Saudi athlete, Ali Al-Deraan, was ruled out of the 800 meters due to injury.

Also, Shaddad was upset that Ramadan starts at the tail of the competition program and that this might affect athletes who are fasting.