THE MIDEAST IN THE NEWS

Aslan Media at the 2012 Olympics: Day One

On Thursday July 26, a group of thirty British-Egyptians and Arabs of UAE and Jordanian background embarked on a four-and-a-half hour journey from London to Cardiff in a pre-booked coach to attend the Egypt vs. Brazil men football match. Beaming with excitement they cheered, sung and predicted the turnout of the match. One of the attendees, Alaa Eid, mentioned he had been looking forward to the Olympic events for many months. Alaa, who also plans to attend the upcoming Egypt football matches, explained the importance of attending the matches to support the Egyptian football team and to boost their abilities on the ground.

During the first half of the game Brazil managed to score three goals leaving many Egyptians in doubt with the fate of the game. However, Alaa explained that the Egyptians continued to chant and sing and enjoy the game. Halfway through the second round, a man in the midst of the crowd stood up and called out the Athan (Call to prayer) to pronounce the breaking of the fast for the Muslims during this holy month of Ramadan. Alaa prayed for the Egyptian team. It was then that the Egyptian team seemed to gain control of the game.

Although Egypt did not win the match against Brazil, many Egyptian and Brazilian fans celebrated together. The Egyptian fans were proud of their players and will continue to support them during the London 2012 Olympics.

Here is a quick summary of the events that have taken place so far:

•  Nine Turkish athletes have been suspended ahead of the London games for doping.
•  Saudi Arabia's Judo competitor, one of the first women to compete in the Olympics representing the Kingdom, will not be allowed to wear the hijab whilst competing due to safety concerns. It has been reported that Saudi Arabia has threatened to withdraw from the Olympics.
•  Egyptian Olympic team are reported to have been given fake Nike training kits. However, Yomna Khallaf, an Egyptian synchronized swimmer announced on Twitter that a new set of kits have been ordered for them.
•  Moroccan runner Mariem Alaoui will miss the London games after failing a drug test.
•  Morocco’s male football team tied in a match against Honduras.
•  Brazil beat Egypt 3-2 in a male football match.
•  The Syrian delegation refuse to speak about Assad during the welcoming ceremony.
•  Uruguay beat the UAE by 2-1 in the men's football.
•  Malaysia’s Nur Suryani Mohamed Taibi, competing in the 10m rifle event next week, is the first pregnant Olympian in history.