ROWER Ali Al-Zeini and powerlifter Rehab Radwan were slated to be Egypt’s flag bearers at the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games starting 28 August. The announcement of the choices was made by Egyptian Paralympic Committee President Hossameddin Mustafa.

Mustafa said Al-Zeini and Radwan were chosen for a number of reasons. Representing the Armed Forces, Al-Zeini would be making his first Paralympics appearance. It is also the first time that Egypt participates with a rowing team.  

Al-Zeini started training for rowing at age eight in the Suez Canal Authority club at Port Said. Later, he joined the Armed Forces but had his leg amputated in North Sinai. “But I started playing again and joined Para rowing.”

Egypt will play in the PR3 mixed double sculls after qualifying in the African Para Rowing Championship held in Tunisia. Egypt took the gold medal and set a new African record. “We also took third place and the bronze medal in the World Para Rowing Championship,” Al-Zeini said.

Radwan was a gold medal winner at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Paralympics and won the silver in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. “I hope I will be able to win the gold this time in Paris and replicate the 2016 achievement.”

Radwan is nicknamed the Pharaonic Queen for her powerlifting successes.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 29 August, 2024 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly