DUBAI: The picturesque town of Aix-les-Bains is set to host a historic event: France will stage its first international camel race during the 2024 Paris Olympics, although the event is not affiliated with the summer games.
The ground-breaking event, which will be held on August 4 and will feature jockeys from Dubai’s Arabian Desert Camel Riding Center, will feature two 300-meter races.
This initiative aims to broaden the appeal of camel sports in Europe, introducing new audiences to the excitement and cultural significance of this traditional sport. The race coincides with the Olympic Games in France, adding to the wide range of disciplines and athletes present in the country.
“Although we have been hosting camel races in France for several years now, we are incredibly excited to finally compete with jockeys from Dubai. It makes the event much more interesting from a global perspective,” said Olivier Philippaneau, the event's organiser.
“This event represents a new chapter in global camel racing competition and we are honored to have top-level international teams such as the ADCRC Dubai. Their involvement underscores 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 recognition the sport is getting in her home country, while Isabella Leslie, another competitor from Dubai, said she was excited to compete in France and see a growing audience for the sport, supported by her new sponsorship with American entrepreneur and racehorse owner Mike Repole.
Born and raised in the United Arab Emirates, Jennifer Reggio also said that she is looking forward to sharing her love and passion for camel racing with an international audience in France.
Not only will Dubai’s camel champions take part in the races, but Prince Fahd bin Jalawi of the International Camel Racing Federation will also be present.
