Amal Al-Roumi
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| Born | 22 August 1992[1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Country |  Kuwait | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Athletics | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Event | 800 metres | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Amal Al-Roumi (Arabic: أمل الرومي; born 22 August 1992) is a Kuwaiti middle-distance runner. She was the first Kuwaiti runner to compete in the women's 800 metres at the Olympics, which she did at the 2024 Olympics. Al-Roumi won medals at the GCC Women's Games, GCC Games, and West Asian Games throughout her career, setting Kuwaiti national records in the 1500 metres, 3000 metres, and 5000 metres.[2]
Career
Al-Roumi began running in 2016 and joined the Kuwait national team in 2018.[3] Al-Roumi thought she had a chance of a medal at the 2018 Asian Indoor Championships, but she suffered from a norovirus infection and did not start the 800 m or 1500 m.[3]
She won her first medal at the 2019 GCC Women's Games in Kuwait City, placing 3rd in the 1500 m in 4:51.95.[1] At the 2022 GCC Games featuring both men and women, Al-Roumi won another bronze 1500 m medal and a silver medal in the 800 m. She was 11th in the 1500 m final of the Islamic Solidarity Games held that year.[1]
In 2023, Al-Roumi was 5th and 7th in the 800 m and 1500 m at the 2023 Asian Indoor Championships respectively. She won a bronze medal in the 800 m at the 2023 West Asian Athletics Championships, also placing 4th in the 1500 m. Ending her season at the Asian Games, Al-Roumi placed 13th in the 1500 m and did not advance to the finals in the 800 m.[1]
Al-Roumi nearly won her first Asian medal at the 2024 Asian Indoor Championships, placing 4th in the 800 m. Outdoors, she won 800 m bronze and 1500 m silver at the 2024 West Asian Athletics Championships.[1] Before the Olympics, Al-Roumi took part in an international training camp in Belgium, where she also competed in the Flanders Cup.[4]
Al-Roumi was seeded in the first quarter-final 800 m heat at the Olympics. She ran 2:11.35 to finish 8th and did not advance. In the repechage round, she ran 2:12.13 to place 8th again and did not advance to the semi-finals.[5] Al-Roumi criticized inadequate air conditioning and poor quality food at the Games.[6]
At the 2025 Asian Athletics Championships, Al-Roumi was 13th in the 1500 m and did not make the 800 m finals.[1]
Personal life
Al-Roumi described herself as having mild ADHD.[3] In Kuwait, she felt that her potential was underestimated because of her gender. Men would refuse to train with her due to stereotypes about women in Kuwait being spoiled or incapable.[2]
References
- ^ a b c d e f Amal Al-Roumi at World Athletics
- ^ a b "Kuwaiti athlete shares her story of perseverance en route to Olympics". kuwaittimes.com.
- ^ a b c "THE STORY OF AN OLYMPIAN ATHLETE: AMAL ALROUMI | EP 39". It's Fareel Podcast – via YouTube.
- ^ "Kuwait's Al-Roumi bids farewell to '24 Olympics". kuna.net.kw.
- ^ Amal Al-Roumi at Tilastopaja (subscription required)
- ^ "Kuwaiti runner Amal Al-Roumi criticizes conditions at Paris Olympics". arabtimesonline.com.