Why Arabs Don't Compete in the Winter Olympics

Last week, I went ice skating for the first time in my life. Of course growing up in Dubai and Gaza, never have I seen snow or ice. So skating on ice has been a mystery to me and when I came to the states, I did not get a chance to take part of this what I was told as a fun activity. Of course in Utah where I went to school, there was plenty of skating opportunities, but I preferred to go to the movies instead.

I am always baffled by the lack of Arab representations in winter sports and particularity in winter Olympics. I remember in the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympics, Lebanon was the only Arab country to send an athlete to the event. Things have not changed much and won't be changing anytime soon.

So in this new year, I was hoping to try ice skating and see for myself. Of course, We headed to the Pentagon City ice rink, my wife and a number of my friends went along. How hard can it be? I asked myself. I consider myself fit and exercise regularly. Well, we skated alright and my friends had lots of fun, a lot more fun that I had. Here is why: