Hadi Somayli

The first Saudi Olympic medallist, 2000 Sydney silver

Hadi Soua'an Al-Somaily was the first Saudi athlete to win an Olympic medal, taking silver in the 400 metres hurdles at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games with the second fastest time in the world that year. Born in Taif in December 1976, he competed for Damac Club in Khamis Mushait, set the Asian record in the same event, and won the 400 metres hurdles at the Barcelona international meeting in Spain in 2000 in 48.87 seconds. His medal is one of only four Saudi Arabia has won across its Olympic appearances. At the summit he gives a first-person account of a Saudi Olympic journey: the systemic support that carried it, the gaps he met along the way, and what must change to produce the next generation of Saudi champions.