**Saudi Arabia Announces Ambition to Bid for the Olympic Games**

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**Saudi Arabia Announces Ambition to Host the Olympics**
**Kingdom Prepares to Host First E-Sports Olympics**

Saudi Arabia intends to submit a bid to host the Olympic Games as part of its plans to advance its comprehensive economic reform, which has seen significant investment in sports.

Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, President of the Saudi Esports Federation, stated, “As a country, we are preparing to do more and more, and I believe the Olympics is a logical step. But when we are ready,” according to Bloomberg.

Prince Faisal made this statement on the sidelines of the closing ceremony of the inaugural Esports World Cup, held in Riyadh and featuring a record industry prize of $60 million.

Saudi Arabia’s potential interest in eventually hosting the Olympics aligns with its broader strategy to expand its portfolio of sporting events, including the first-ever Sports Olympics in 2025. Riyadh signed a 12-year deal with the International Olympic Committee in July to host this event, indicating an existing relationship. Saudi Arabia is also set to host the Winter Asian Games in 2029 and is poised to host the FIFA World Cup in 2034.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has placed sports, entertainment, and tourism at the core of his multi-trillion-dollar agenda to transform Saudi Arabia’s economy into a diversified power less dependent on crude oil. The kingdom also views these industries as essential for improving the quality of life for its citizens, many of whom are under thirty.

Italy, the United States, France, and Australia will host the Olympics from 2026 to 2032, with the recent summer edition concluding in Paris. Reports suggest that Egypt and Qatar are among the Middle Eastern countries that may bid to host the events beyond this period.

–by/radwa sherif ✏️✏️📚