Samba Targets Olympic Gold as Qatar Trio Takes on 400m Hurdles

Qatar’s Samba and Hemeida shine to win gold and silver in 400m hurdles

Abderrahman Samba is set to lead Qatar's quest in the men’s 400m hurdles, aiming to achieve his "childhood dream" of winning an Olympic gold in Paris. Joining him are Bassem Hemeida and Ismail Doudai Abakar, making Qatar the first Asian nation to have three athletes compete in this event at the Olympics.

The trio will compete in the heats on Monday at Stade de France, with Hemeida running first, followed by Samba in heat 2, and Abakar in heat 6. The top three finishers from each heat will advance to the final, with the next three fastest progressing to the semi-finals.

Samba, a two-time Asian Games champion and 2019 World Championships bronze medallist, is Qatar’s key medal hopeful in what is considered one of the toughest events at the Olympics. The competition includes Norway’s Karsten Warholm, a Tokyo Olympic champion and world record-holder, American record-holder Rai Benjamin, and Brazil’s 2022 world champion Alison dos Santos.

"The 400m hurdles is one of the hardest events. Winning it would make you the best in history. I hope I can make that history," said Samba, who finished fifth in the Tokyo Olympics, in a video shared by the Qatar Olympic Committee.

Despite a career hindered by injuries, the 28-year-old returned to competition at the Stockholm Diamond League in June, clocking 49.69 seconds. He later improved with a win at the Meeting Madrid 2024 in 47.97 seconds, and a 48.27-second performance at the Monaco Diamond League in July.

“Injuries are the enemy of any athlete. I am so happy to be healthy, and I hope to perform well in Paris,” Samba said.

Facing tough competition, Samba is determined to secure victory in Paris. "I am proud to represent Qatar and hope to make the nation proud. Winning Olympic gold is one of my biggest dreams, and I believe Paris is where I can make it happen."

Other medal contenders include world silver medallist Kyron McMaster of the British Virgin Islands, Jamaica’s Malik James-King and Roshawn Clarke, Italy’s Alessandro Sibilio, and French champion Wilfried Happio.