The Arab world is heading to Rio with a packed contingent of athletes as countries continue to invest heavily in making Olympic sports a priority.
And this year, maybe more so than any other before, there are a number of Arab hopefuls in with a real chance of claiming medals in Brazil.
Here, Sport360 reporter Reem Abulleil looks at five of the region’s brightest prospects.
MUTAZ BARSHIM (QAT)
A bronze medallist in London 2012, Qatar’s Barshim has revolutionised the high jump since, getting closer to breaking Javier Sotomayor’s 23-year-old 2.45m world record than anyone else has ever got. Is the only athlete to jump 2.40m this season.
FEHAID AL DEEHANI (KUW)
The two-time Olympic bronze medallist (Sydney 2000, London 2012) shooter will not be flying the Kuwaiti flag due to his Olympic Committee’s suspension and will be competing as an independent athlete instead under the IOC flag. Is one of the favourites in double trap.
RUTH JEBET (BRN)
The Kenyan-born Bahraini became just the second woman to ever break the nine minute barrier in the 3,000m steeplecase when she clocked a world-leading 8:59.97 in Eugene in May. She was running at world record pace until the very last lap and looks set for a show-stopping Rio Games.
FARIDA OSMAN (EGY)
The Egyptian sprint swimmer clocked the second-fastest 50 yard freestyle ever in the Pac-12 meet in the US last February, swimming for the Cal Bears. She’s a former world junior champion and was seventh in the 50 fly at the Worlds in 2013, and fifth in 2015. The Rio podium beckons.
TAOUFIK MAKHLOUFI (ALG)
The Algerian’s astonishing story from London 2012 saw him get disqualified from the Olympics for not trying hard enough in the 800m, then get reinstated and winning the 1,500m gold 24 hours later. He’s entered in both the 800 and 1,500 in Rio. Is fourthfastest in the 1,500 this year.