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Saudi Olympic medal winner hailed at home
RIYADH, Sept 27 (AFP) - The Olympic 400 metres hurdles silver medalist in Sydney on Wednesday, Hadi Souan Somayli, was hailed at home as a hero of the Arab and Muslim worlds. "The Saudi kingdom recorded an international sporting achievement today in the name of the Arab and Islamic worlds," Prince Sultan bin Fahd, government minister for sport, said in a message to King Fahd and Crown Prince Abdullah. Somayli, a teacher who started his sports career as a footballer, came second to American favourite Angelo Taylor in a nail-biting finish, setting a new Asian record in the process. The Saudi, who is coached by 100m world recordholder Maurice Greene's coach John Smith, could not believe that he almost clinched the Olympic title in his first major final. "Of course I felt initially disappointment at not getting gold but this is quite amazing to have been coached by John for just five months and to be stepping onto the podium with a silver medal," said the 23-year-old. "However, I think if I had more experience in major championships I would not have panicked and changed the amount of strides I took between the hurdles from the semi-finals to the final. "Still I am a teacher first and a part-time athlete," he said. The first Arab medal of the Sydney Games went to Kuwaiti army officer Fehaid al-Deehani, who won the bronze for the men's Double Trap on September 20. Morocco and Qatar have since also won bronze medals.
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