HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad al-Thani, Vice-Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation, completed her first Olympic-distance triathlon - the Hamburg Wasser 2021 World Triathlon Championship Series in Germany, which is the world's biggest triathlon race.
She described the experience in a post on Instagram Tuesday, along with pictures from the event.
"It was the 26th of June, 2011. My baby daughter was a day old. Outside the hospital, the roads were closed as an Ironman race was about to start. From that day, I was inspired to one day compete in a triathlon," HE Sheikha Hind wrote on Instagram. "10 years later, I completed my first Olympic distance triathlon."
She continued, "I won’t lie, I felt disappointment because of circumstances beyond anything training could have prepared me for. My feet were numb from the cold for the entire bike race and for most of the run. I felt I could have done better. But that’s the competitor in me, and it’s fuel for my next race."
HE Sheikha Hind said she was grateful for all the facilities she was able to train in - from the Olympic cycling track to Aspire Academy, Oxygen Park, 5/6 Park, and the Education City recreation centre and stadium.
"I’m proud of my achievement. After getting cancelled and then postponed, I wasn’t even sure if I was ever going to race. But it gave me more time to train (and recover from delivering a baby!) and I couldn’t have done it alone," she said. "The support I got from my family, friends and coaches gave me the confidence to follow through.
"From my dad cheering me on after my swim sessions, my mum advising me on which bike to take, my husband’s words of support (and looking after the kids!) and my brother making sure my experience will forever be preserved. And of course, my cheerleaders, sisters and the biggest motivation I had on that day. All of this made my experience that more special."
She also gave a special thanks to the Arab volunteers throughout the race who kept cheering her on whenever they saw the flag on her arm.
On its part, Qatar Olympic Committee congratulated HE Sheikha Hind on Twitter and said: "We are proud of Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad al-Thani who completed the world’s biggest triathlon race in Hamburg, Germany."
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