UAE Olympic Movement Shines With Record Medal Wins in 2025

The UAE’s Olympic journey in 2025 has emerged as one of its most successful chapters to date, marked by historic medal tallies and standout performances on regional and international stages. The year reflected not only sporting excellence but also the growing depth and ambition of the nation’s athletes across multiple disciplines.

Presiding over a meeting of the UAE National Olympic Committee (NOC) Board of Directors in Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE NOC, highlighted how the achievements of 2025 set new benchmarks for the country’s Olympic movement. He noted that the year’s successes are expected to motivate future generations to push boundaries while competing under the UAE flag.

The year began strongly at the 3rd GCC Beach Games in Muscat, where Emirati athletes delivered their best-ever performance, securing a total of 23 medals. This momentum continued at the 3rd Asian Youth Games in Bahrain, with the UAE team collecting 31 medals, their highest tally at the event and a result that included several record-setting performances.

UAE athletes then went on to make their mark at the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, returning home with 27 medals. This represented the nation’s largest haul in the history of its participation at the Games, significantly surpassing results from previous editions.

During the meeting, Sheikh Mansoor praised the determination, discipline and resilience shown by athletes across all competitions, pointing out that each podium moment symbolised national pride as the UAE flag was raised. He stressed that such achievements were driven by commitment and a strong sense of responsibility towards representing the country at the highest level.

The Board meeting, attended by Minister of Sports Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, UAE NOC Secretary General Faris Mohammed Al Mutawa and other members, covered several strategic decisions. These included approving the formation of new committees focused on values and ethics, Olympic solidarity, gender equality and media affairs, alongside endorsing technical and administrative reports for 2025 and plans for 2026.

Members also approved financial regulations, final accounts for 2025, the estimated 2026 budget and participation budgets aligned with the Olympic Activity Plan. In addition, the Board reviewed preparations for hosting the first GCC Conference on Sports Law and Sports Management and discussed proposed regulatory frameworks related to sports federation elections.

The meeting concluded with the approval of the UAE NOC’s new logo and a review of recent international participations. His Highness Sheikh Mansoor also met members of the UAE national badminton team, who were recently crowned champions at the AirBadminton World Cup held in Sharjah, closing a year that firmly established 2025 as a milestone in UAE sporting history.