Diversity is key to strengthening sport diplomacy, says UAE's Noura Al Kaabi

Minister of State speaks at an event in Paris, where 14 athletes are competing for the Emirates at the Olympic Games

Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State, has said it is important to establish connections in an increasingly fragmented world. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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Diversity and inclusivity are key values that the UAE wants to promote as it takes part in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Speaking in the French capital on Sunday, UAE Minister of State, Noura Al Kaabi, said it was important to establish connections in an increasingly fragmented world.

"What matters most for us is how our players represent our country based on values of enjoying diversity and understanding the importance of it in enriching a nation," Ms Al Kaabi told The National.

In June, the UAE hosted hundreds of athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities at the Special Olympics UAE Games.

Today, in Paris, a team of 14 athletes representing the UAE include judokas born in Mongolia.

"It's another example of how we can have an inclusive take when it comes to that," said Ms Al Kaabi, speaking from UAE House in Paris.

The exhibition centre, which aims to show UAE culture to the world, is the first of its kind.

"Our shared humanity is very rich," said Ms Al Kaabi.

"What touches us and lasts more, even in business meetings, are personal touches. That's something we should work on. It's not just something nice to do but that we have to do."

Successfully hosting a big sporting event, such as the Olympic Games, is a means to enhance a country's prestige in the world, said France's sports ambassador Samuel Ducroquet.

For the first time in the history of the Summer Olympics, the opening ceremony on Friday took place outside of a stadium, along the Seine river.

French authorities said they feared a terror attack but the event went ahead without notable security incidents, except when part of the country's train network was sabotaged a few hours before the event.

Projecting an impression of audacity is one of the priorities of French diplomacy during the Olympic Games, along with respect for the environment and solidarity, said Mr Ducroquet.

"Public opinion is more and more demanding from organisers," he said. "You need to an example when you talk about sustainability and sobriety in terms of financial means."

Reaping the economic benefits from organising massive sporting events is also a priority, added Mr Ducroquet. Foreign spectators at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France spent €870 million ($945 million).

The organisers of the Paris Olympics expect the French economy to benefit from a figure at least ten times higher.