The Lebanese Olympic Committee announced the sports delegation for the Winter Olympics: five male players and one female player qualified through the preliminary rounds for the first time in the history of the sport. They will compete in Alpine skiing and depth skiing.
The Committee held a press conference on Thursday morning to announce the sports delegation for the fourth Winter Youth Olympic Games. The event will take place from January 19 to February 1 in Gangwon, South Korea.
President of the Lebanese Olympic Committee Dr. Pierre Jalkh emphasized the significance of Lebanon’s participation in this sports event, highlighting the country’s determination to affirm its international presence and provide opportunities for its athletes to compete and achieve realistic aspirations. He expressed pride in the qualification of the delegation members based on their individual abilities.
Freddy Keyrouz discussed the reality of winter sports and existing challenges. He warned against attempts to undermine the committee, stating that they will remain vigilant until they achieve their goals, away from political complications and in the absence of state and relevant institutions. He concluded by expressing his pride in the delegation members, their clubs and families, urging them to raise the Lebanese flag and present a civilized image of Lebanon while putting in efforts to enhance their achievements and even win medals.
The delegation list is as follows:
Head of the delegation: Raymond Succar
Administrators: Elie Tawk and Youssef Khalil
Coaches: Romain Garcin, Salim Keyrouz, Salim Lozom, Samer Tawk
Players:
Depth skiing: Syrelle Lozom, Karen Succar, Marcellino Tawk
Alpine skiing: Kiana Sakkal, Alexander Hayek
Questions were then posed by journalists regarding how the committee secured funds to cover participation expenses in light of the financial crisis. Dr. Jalkh explained that the challenges were overcome with the assistance of the International Olympic Committee in terms of travel and accommodation cards. The clothing was also provided through initiatives from private entities. Francois Saade expressed regret for the absence of the state and relevant authorities, while Jawdat Shaker criticized the Minister of Youth and Sports for the crisis, which led to freezing the funds of the Olympic Committee, funds that amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars and that are the rightful due of the players.
