IOC Member Rania Elwani Praises Qatar's Organisational Abilities

Doha, December 18 (QNA) - International Olympic Committee Member Rania Elwani praised Qatar's abilities in hosting major sports events at the 12th Arab Games, Doha 2011. "When I saw the Qatari sports facilities and infrastructures as well as the opening ceremony, I wished to swim again to participate in such Arab Games. "The preparations and hospitality reflected Qatar s abilities to host Olympic Games," said the former Egypt s national swimmer. On the recognition of swimming and athletics as qualifying events for the Olympic Games, Elwani said that this recognition will open the gates for other sports to be the qualifying events for the Olympic Games. The IOC Member believed that this initiative motivated participants and added more excitement to the Arab Games. On the prize money, Elwani hoped that the officials of Arab Sport will maintain the level of prize money and not to back down. Elwani participated in three editions of the Olympic Games: 1992 in Barcelona, 1996 in Atlanta and 2000 in Sydney (semi-finalist in the 50 and 100 m freestyle); participated in Swimming World Championships in Rome in 1994 and in Perth in 1998 (semi-finalist in 50 and 100 m freestyle); three gold medals, two silver medals and one World Cup bronze medal in 1994-1995; six times silver medalist and four times bronze medalist at the African Championships in 1990; multiple gold, silver and bronze medalist at the African Games in 1991, 1995 and 1999; twice gold medalist (50 and 100 m freestyle). In 2004 she became a member of the International Olympic Committee. As of 2010 she is also a member of the Athlete Committee of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). (QNA)