Triathlon in Jordan on the up

The sport of Triathlon is moving forward in Jordan and it is hoped that the nation will be represented at the Youth Olympics this summer.

Since Lawrence Fanous became the first Jordanian to compete in the sport at an Olympic games at Rio 2016, the sport has enjoyed a boom period.

Triathlon has been included in the Jordan Olympic Committee (JOC)’s Olympic Preparations Programme (OPP) which is trying to produce world-class athletes for the future.

Coach, Abdulaziz Al Shuabi, believes that now is the time for Jordan to become a triathlon regional powerhouse. “Jordan is a pioneer in spreading this sport among the Arab nations,” he said.

“We have created a number of plans to spread the sport among youngsters and target fresh talent from across the kingdom.”

Al Shuabi pointed out that both the Jordan Triathlon Association and the JOC have created an Olympic Plan for the team which includes Karina Othman, Kareem Othman, Maxim Shboul and Mariam Sha'ban.

“They are still teenagers which is important for us to prepare. They are all doing well, for example Kareem was invited to participate in the last World Juniors.”

Both Maxim and Mariam will head to Vietnam in June for the Youth Olympic Games qualifier in Buenos Aires, and it is hoped that they will qualify to continue the Jordan success story.