Saudi skiing on right track

"With an indoor facility, skiing or snowboarding could become a regular after-school activity for kids," he said.

Having spent much of his time training and competing in Europe, Abdi hopes that, as winter sports grow in Saudi Arabia, he will one day be able to train at home.

For Abdi, being Saudi Arabia's first Winter Olympian comes with a sense of responsibility.

"Now, I'm focused on improving as a skier and staying competitive, but I'm also thinking about how to inspire the next generation and attract more athletes to the sport," he said.

He hopes to see others follow in his footsteps before he retires. "It would be disappointing if no one takes on the role after me. I want to see athletes stepping up and forming a team while I'm still competing."

The "Fayik Effect" is already paying dividends, as the Harbin Games also played host to Saudi's first female alpine skiers, Joud Farhoud and Sharifa Al-Sudairi. Both women were inspired to reach out to the Saudi Snow Sports Federation after seeing Adbi compete in the giant slalom in Beijing.

"Of course it was very exciting for me, because it was the first time I heard of a Saudi alpine skier," Farhoud said.

While the pair failed to medal in Harbin, with Farhoud finishing 19th and Al-Sudairi posting a DNF in the women's slalom on Saturday, they are both hoping to become the first women to represent Saudi at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics.

"It would be a monumental achievement," Al-Sudairi said, adding: "It would not only be a personal dream come true, but also a significant milestone for women in sports in my country."

After his career, Abdi aims to pass on his experience and guide young skiers through training and competition. "I'm passionate about the sport, and it would be an honor to support the next generation in any way I can," he said.

Beyond Saudi Arabia, he hopes to help grow alpine skiing globally. "It's a small sport with a close-knit community. I feel a responsibility not just to my country, but to the world to help it grow."

Contact the writer at liyingxue@chinadaily.com.cn