Al-Ayed clocked a personal best time of 2:19.61 on Sunday, a significant milestone on her Olympic debut Paris: In a notable achievement for Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning sports scene, 17-year-old Mashael Al-Ayed secured a commendable sixth place in the women’s 200m freestyle heats at the Paris 2024 Olympics. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Al-Ayed clocked a personal best time of 2:19.61 on Sunday, a significant milestone on her Olympic debut. She earned her spot in the heats through a universality place, effectively a wildcard invitation, allowing her to compete at this prestigious global event. Her performance highlights the progress being made by Saudi women in international sports. In addition to Al-Ayed, Saudi Arabia’s swimming team features 16-year-old Zaid Al-Sarraj, the youngest of the Kingdom’s representatives in Paris. Al-Sarraj, also granted a universality place, competes in the 100m freestyle, representing the future of Saudi swimming. The two swimmers highlight Saudi Arabia’s growing presence and potential in the international sports arena.