DUBAI: The picturesque town of Aix-les-Bains is set to host a historic event as France holds its first camel race with international participants during the Paris 2024 Olympics, although the event is not affiliated with the summer games.
Taking place on August 4 and featuring jockeys from the Arabian Desert Camel Riding Center in Dubai, this groundbreaking event will feature two 300m races.
This initiative aims to expand the appeal of camel sports in Europe, introducing a new audience to the excitement and cultural significance of this traditional sport. The race coincides with the Olympic Games in France, adding to the varied range of disciplines and athletes present in the country.
“Although we have been hosting camel races in France for a number of years, we are incredibly excited to finally compete against jockeys from Dubai. It makes the event much more interesting from a global perspective,” said Olivier Philippaneau, event organizer.
“This event represents a new chapter in global camel racing competitions and we are honored to participate with top international teams such as ADCRC in Dubai. Their involvement underlines the growing interest and commitment to camel sports worldwide.”
French expatriate Coralie Viroulaud, who discovered her passion for camel racing in Dubai, expressed her excitement for the sport to gain recognition in her home country, while Isabella Leslie, another competitor from Dubai, said that she is excited to compete in France and witness the sport. growing audience, supported by her new sponsorship with American businessman and racehorse owner Mike Repole.
Born and raised in the UAE, Jennifer Reggio also said she is looking forward to sharing her love and passion for camel racing with an international audience in France.
The races will not only feature Dubai camel racing champions, but will also be attended by Prince Fahd bin Jalawi of the International Camel Racing Federation.
