Emirates Airline is giving the UAE’s chances of winning an Olympic medal a boost by sponsoring Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Hasher Al Maktoum’s participation in Athens 2004, the 28th Olympic Games starting on 13th August.Sheikh Ahmed, UAE’s top-notch trap shooting gold medallist, today boarded Emirates flight EK 105 to Athens on his quest for the first-ever Olympic medal for the UAE.  His coach Raphael Ahmaduf and the manager to the UAE Olympic team Dr Abdulla Abdul Karim travelled with him.
Sheikh Ahmed has distinguished himself in numerous shooting events over the last decade by beating the best in the sport and winning a clutch of awards. Already this year he has won gold medals at the World Cup Cairo, the Asia Championships in Malaysia and Master Cup in Czech Republic, and importantly picked up a bronze at the Pre Olympic World Cup in Athens. In 2003, he won Gold at the World Cups held in India, Italy and the Final in Rome.
At the Sydney Olympics in 2000 he competed only in the trap shooting event, while this year he has increased the stakes two-fold by participating in the trap and double-trap events, scheduled to start on 14th August.
Ghaith Al Ghaith, Emirates’ Executive Vice President Commercial Operations Worldwide said: “Emirates is thrilled to sponsor Sheikh Ahmed’s bid to bring home an Olympic medal for the UAE. He is a symbol of the nation’s hopes and we believe the odds-on Arab favourite for a victory in trap shooting.
For the past eight years, Emirates has observed Sheikh Ahmed’s talents blossom, while his enthusiasm for the game and his keen drive for success are as fresh as ever. He is on target to do the country and Emirates proud.”
Emirates serves Athens with an Airbus A330-200 five days a week - Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Configured in three classes, the aircraft has 12 seats in First Class, 43 in Business and 183 in Economy.
The airline has established a strong reputation in sports sponsorship.  Its global portfolio covers numerous sports events including the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Chelsea Football Club, and other events in horse racing, tennis, rugby, sailing, Australian Rules football and cricket. 
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