Saudi Arabia Hosts Asian Winter Games 2029, Studies Harbin Event

Saudi Arabia made its debut at the Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China, amidst controversy surrounding its upcoming hosting of the next Games in 2029 at the NEOM megacity. Critics, including Olympic skier Johan Clarey, have denounced this decision as detrimental to the sport, linking it to accusations of 'sportswashing' due to the kingdom's human rights record. Despite the backlash, Saudi officials, including Prince Fahd bin Jalawi bin Abdul Aziz, expressed their commitment to successfully organizing the event, highlighting their preparations for a year-round winter sports complex in Trojena. The Games in Harbin featured eight Saudi athletes, who, despite not winning any medals, enjoyed their experience. Meanwhile, the nation's men's curling team faced a significant defeat, which led to their elimination from the competition. The overall sentiment among Saudi participants reflected a hopeful outlook as they seek to learn from the current Games for their future hosting responsibilities.