Kuwaiti shooter Fehaid Al-Deehani won the gold medal in men's double trap shooting on Wednesday at the 2016 Olympics, but the gold medal didn't go to Kuwait. Instead, it was the first-ever gold medal for the Independent Olympic Athletes.
Fehaid Al-Deehani wins first-ever independent Olympic gold medal
The gold was Al-Deehani’s third career medal in shooting.
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
It was the fourth overall medal for the IOA, and the first since 1992.
Al-Deehani was competing under the Olympic flag because Kuwait is under suspension by the International Olympic Committee since August.
It was the third career medal for Al-Deehani, who captured bronze in the double trap in 2000 in Sydney and bronze in trap shooting in 2012 in London. But though he competed as an independent athlete, Al-Deehani remains loyal to Kuwait.
He was asked to carry the flag for the Independent Olympic Athletes during the opening ceremony but refused, saying, “I am a military man and I will only carry the Kuwait flag.”
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