DUBAI: The picturesque town of Aix-les-Bains is set to host a historic event as France hosts its first camel race with international participants during the 2024 Paris Olympics, although the event is not linked to the Summer Games.
Held on August 4 and featuring jockeys from Dubai's Arabian Desert Camel Riding Center, the ground-breaking event will feature two races over 300 metres.
This initiative aims to broaden the appeal of camel sports in Europe and introduce new audiences to the excitement and cultural significance of this traditional sport. The race coincides with the Olympic Games in France, adding to the diverse array of disciplines and athletes present in the country.
“While we have been hosting camel races in France for several years now, we are incredibly excited to finally compete with jockeys from Dubai. This makes the event much more interesting from a global perspective,” said Olivier Philippaneau, organizer of the event.
“This event marks a new chapter in global camel racing and we are honored to have top international teams such as the ADCRC from Dubai participating. Their involvement underlines the growing interest and commitment to camel sports around the world.”
French expat Coralie Viroulaud, who discovered her passion for camel racing in Dubai, expressed her excitement at the sport gaining recognition in her home country, while Isabella Leslie, another competitor based in Dubai, said she was excited to compete in France and witness this sport. an expanding audience, boosted by her new sponsorship with American businessman and racehorse owner Mike Repol.
Jennifer Reggio, who was born and raised in the UAE, also said she was looking forward to sharing her love and passion for camel racing with an international audience in France.
Not only will the champion camel racers from Dubai take part in the races, but Prince Fahd bin Jalawi of the International Camel Racing Federation will also participate.
