Saudi swimmer Zaid Al Sarraj reflects on ‘surreal’ Olympic debut

At just 16 years old, Zaid Al Sarraj was the youngest member of Saudi Arabia’s Olympic team for the 2024 Games.

As a wildcard entry in the 100-meter freestyle swimming, Al Sarraj’s involvement in Paris was always designed to be a learning experience; the teenager certainly appeared unfazed by the responsibility of representing his country in the world’s biggest sporting showcase.

Although his time was not enough to qualify for the freestyle semi-finals, Al Sarraj will always be able to say that he won a race at the Olympics after finishing first in his eight-man heat ahead of Kosovan Adell Sabovic and Nepalese swimmer Alexander Shah.

“It has been an incredible and surreal experience,” Al Sarraj tells Al Arabiya English. “I had dreamed of representing Saudi Arabia on the world stage since I was a child, but the reality of competing against the best athletes around the globe was a little terrifying.

“Being part of the Olympics has been the most incredible honor of my young athletic career. Even though I didn’t ultimately medal, the experience of competing at this level and being surrounded by such talented athletes has been invaluable.

“It has fueled my desire to keep training harder and come back even more ready for the next Olympics. It has been a life-changing experience that I will cherish forever.”

Although Al Sarraj’s Olympic spot was only confirmed a couple of weeks before the Games started, he was joined in Paris by a dedicated group of supporters.

“My family made the trip to watch me compete, making the experience even more special,” he said. “Beyond just my immediate loved ones, the messages of support, enthusiasm, and encouragement from people across Saudi Arabia were humbling.

“Their belief in me pushed me to give everything in the pool.”

Among those cheering him on in France was Al Sarraj’s mother, whom he credits for initially encouraging him to take up swimming and for pushing him to make it to the Olympics.

“My mom was a swimmer and when my sister and I were little, she had us in the pool, teaching us the basics and pushing us to develop our skills,” Al Sarraj explains. “My mom’s passion and encouragement were infectious.

“As I started seeing improvements in my time and technique, I began to share her love for the sport. Representing Saudi Arabia at the Olympics has always been my dream, and my mom has been instrumental in helping me achieve it through her guidance and support. I’m grateful for her belief in me.”

Before competing on the biggest stage of his life at the Aquatics Centre in Saint-Denis, Al Sarraj only had a handful of major competitions behind him – the most high-profile of which was this February’s World Aquatics Championships in Doha.

In Qatar, he finished in 58th place overall in the heats, some three seconds off the slowest semi-finals qualifying standard; at the Olympics, Al Sarraj improved both his position – to 53rd – and his time, shaving more than a second off to record a personal best and new Saudi National Record of 51.21.

“I’ve been privileged to represent Saudi Arabia at high-profile competitions worldwide and of course, breaking my best time and topping my group at the Olympics was also a huge milestone,” Al Sarraj reflects.

“I didn’t quite make the finals, but swimming in that legendary pool surrounded by the most outstanding athletes was an unforgettable experience.

“It has motivated me further to reach the highest levels of international competition and make my country proud. I feel so driven to put in the tireless training and preparation required to make that dream a reality.”

Al Sarraj began swimming aged four and entered his first competitions just two years later. His Olympic dreams began to take shape early when he watched legendary American Michael Phelps dominate the pool in London, Rio and Tokyo. Phelps is the most decorated Olympian of all time, having won 28 medals, 23 of which were gold.

“Michael Phelps is definitely my hero,” Al Sarraj said. “His drive to constantly improve inspires me; it makes me want to emulate his success and be someone who can inspire the next generation of Saudi swimmers myself.”

Al Sarraj’s grueling training regimen, which is overseen by his Ukrainian coach Vlodomyr Hutsu, includes up to three hours of pool sessions – six times per week, as well as numerous dry-land exercises to build strength and endurance.

“It’s a high-level, intense training schedule, but it’s all worth it,” Al Sarraj said. “The best feeling is when my hard work pays off – shaving time off my records, standing on that podium, representing my country. That drives me through the training.”

The young swimmer, who highlights an “uncompromising work ethic” as his most important attribute, trains at Al Hilal Club in Riyadh. He has been supported on his journey by the Saudi Swimming Federation and Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee – with both organizations playing a “crucial” role in his development.

For Al Sarraj, the feeling of competing in the pool is like no other and after getting a taste of the very top of elite swimming at the World Championships and Olympics in 2024, he is determined to continue on an upward trajectory, with his sights set firmly on competing in the next Games in Los Angeles.

“When I’m racing, everything else disappears,” Al Sarraj said. “The seconds before the start feel eternal, but then the signal sounds, and I swim with everything I’ve got. I can feel the burn in my body but I’m oblivious to everything except touching that wall.

“Competing in Paris was an incredible learning experience for me as an athlete and a person. As the youngest member of the Saudi team, I had a lot to absorb and take in, but the biggest thing I learned was the importance of composure and focus, especially in high-pressure situations. Now, of course, I am inspired to have this feeling again.”