BEIJING // As Obaid Ahmed Obaid dives into the pool today at Beijing's National Aquatics Centre, popularly known as the Water Cube, he will be representing a sport that has yet to really flourish in the UAE.
Obaid, who celebrated his 27th birthday on Saturday, is competing in the men's 100m freestyle swim - but his qualifying time of just under 55 seconds is some seven seconds off the world record of just under 48 seconds set in March by the Frenchman Alain Bernard.
"We aren't expecting so much from Obaid - he's pretty good on the level of Arab swimmers but internationally he is not at the top," said Ibrahim Abdul Malik, the secretary general of the UAE's Olympic committee.
"Overall it will take time before we really develop swimming as a sport in the UAE,"
The UAE is working on constructing an Olympic standard swimming pool, Malik said, a vital step in building a future for swimming in the UAE.
There are four swimming pools at clubs in Dubai, with an Olympic size pool at the Dubai Sports City and another in Abu Dhabi.
"We need a couple of years to build a really solid foundation for swimming and prove this sport," said Malik.
Swimming has proved an extremely popular Olympic event in China, with huge demand for places in the 17,000 capacity venue and a thriving black market in resold tickets.
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At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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Anghami
Started: December 2011
Co-founders: Elie Habib, Eddy Maroun
Based: Beirut and Dubai
Sector: Entertainment
Size: 85 employees
Stage: Series C
Investors: MEVP, du, Mobily, MBC, Samena Capital
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.