Saudi Olympic Committee Sets 11 Priority Sports

The Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee announced on 2 September 2026 a new priority strategy that concentrates the Kingdom's Olympic and Paralympic efforts on 11 podium sports, aiming to strengthen Saudi medal prospects in the years ahead.

The selected disciplines are athletics, judo, taekwondo, karate, jiu-jitsu, swimming, weightlifting, shooting, equestrian, fencing, and wrestling. The Committee said these sports were chosen based on historical results, medals won, athlete performance indicators, specialist workshops, and benchmarking against international standards.

Focused on the road to Riyadh 2034

The strategy is designed to build a clear pathway toward stronger results through the Riyadh 2034 Asian Games, giving these sports focused support and resources to develop competitive athletes capable of reaching the podium.

Importantly, the Committee did not indicate that any other sports have been discontinued. The approach is about prioritization and directing investment where medal chances are highest, rather than removing existing programs.

For the community, the move signals a more structured phase in Saudi sport, with clearer goals for athletes, coaches, and families involved in these disciplines. It aligns with the wider national push to raise the Kingdom's profile in international competition and to nurture homegrown talent ahead of major events hosted on Saudi soil.

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