Twenty-six countries walked out of Sochi sporting shiny new medals, but MENA nations weren’t part of that elite club. Kudos to our athletes for their courage and stamina, but the Olympics are yesterday’s news and we don’t need no stinkin’ medallions to show our competitive prowess!
Middle East contenders have been setting Guinness World Records (GWR) for as long as the records have been kept. Last year, GWR, the global authority on record breaking achievement, set up Middle East operations with a Dubai office dedicated to working with future record-breakers from across the region.
The Dubai office is a direct response to exceptional growth in world-record-smashing from MidEast countries, typified by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia (KSA) where record applications increased by 130% and 105% respectively. UAE record holders soared 171% and KSA titlests grew 66%!
"The Middle East is ready to lead the world with record-breaking achievements and we have only scratched the surface in the region's talents," said Talal Omar, head of the GWR Dubai office, in a press release.
Guinness World Records ™Challenge Fairs have been held in the region’s poshest shopping malls. “At every challenge fair location we've seen large crowds, excited and ready to put their skills to the ultimate test," said Tom Ibison, Guinness World Records official adjudicator, who was present at the KSA fairs,“The people of Saudi Arabia have been among the most passionate and tenacious competitors I've seen.”
Alistair Richards, GWR Global Managing Director added, "By establishing an official presence, I hope we're signalling our commitment to helping the region achieve even greater world record fame." He plans to launch a new website dedicated solely to Middle East record-breaking news, giving fans greater insight to records being broken in the region and introducing the people behind the headlines.
So we may be hopeless at hockey, and our skating skills are sad, but look at how we tear it up on wider world records!
