1. Home
2. Sports
3. Chasing New Dreams: Noureddine Hadid Joins Inter Lebanon After Olympic Miss

Noureddine Hadid, Lebanon’s 100m and 200m record holder, turns the page after being deprived of participating in the Paris 2024 Olympics due to his military desertion. Supported by Inter Lebanon, he reinvents himself and prepares for new challenges.

Noureddine Hadid, the best Lebanese sprinter of all time, embarks on a promising new phase of his career after a 2024 marked by unexpected turns. Holder of the national records for the 100m (10.27s) and 200m (20.59s), he had been selected to represent Lebanon at the Paris 2024 Olympics, notably to participate in the 100m race and carry the Lebanese flag during the opening ceremony. However, a personal situation stood in the way of his Olympic dream. In July 2024, as he was preparing to join France, Hadid was incarcerated for deserting the Lebanese Army. Although he apologized and requested amnesty from the Lebanese military authorities, his detention prevented him from participating in the world’s biggest sporting event. Today, after putting this painful episode behind him, Hadid turns resolutely towards the future under the banner of Inter Lebanon, with renewed ambitions.

A Rebirth Supported by Inter Lebanon

After a difficult period marked by his imprisonment for desertion, Hadid managed to bounce back and look ahead. His resilience and potential did not escape Roger Bejjani, president of Inter Lebanon, who sees in him an exceptional ambassador for Lebanese sport.

“We firmly believe in Noureddine’s ability to surpass himself and represent Lebanon with pride,” says Roger Bejjani to Ici Beyrouth. “Integrating Hadid into Inter Lebanon is not just a sports investment, but also a message of hope for all young Lebanese aspiring to overcome the limits imposed by successive crises. At Inter Lebanon, we are convinced that with the right support, he will reach new heights.”

The Ambitions of a Sprinter in Pursuit of Records

For his part, Hadid expressed his enthusiasm and gratitude for this new beginning. “Joining Inter Lebanon is an important decision in my career, a true turning point,” he explains. “I am infinitely grateful to Roger Bejjani and the entire team for their support and trust. I am surrounded by amazing teammates, kind and supportive, and I am determined to break new records and proudly carry Lebanon’s colors.”

A New Step in California

To achieve these ambitions, Hadid will now train in Los Angeles, under the guidance of Gentry Bradley, a renowned coach in the athletics world. This partnership aims to prepare the athlete for major international events in 2025, whether they be regional or global competitions.

“This partnership with Inter Lebanon gives me the means to aim higher,” says Hadid. “I am ready to work hard to honor the trust placed in me and prove that Lebanon can shine, even in the most demanding disciplines.”

A Figure of Resilience

Through his journey, Hadid embodies unwavering determination, overcoming institutional and personal obstacles to continue progressing. Inter Lebanon, which bets on his talent, aims to accompany him in this quest for excellence, with the hope of seeing his name etched in the history of Lebanese sport.

For Roger Bejjani, this partnership is also a way to show that “sport remains a space where you can dream, even in the darkest times. Noureddine has the qualities of a champion, and we are here to help him write a new chapter full of success.”

With the support of Inter Lebanon and renewed determination, Hadid turns resolutely towards the future. The year 2025 could very well be the one where he realizes his full potential and finally inscribes his name among the legends of Lebanese sprinting.