The Spirit of Sport: Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Thani
His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Thani became the first Qatari to reach the top of Mt. Everest on May 22, 2013. He is the President of 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum.
At the helm of Qatar’s groundbreaking 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum stands a man who embodies the very spirit of adventure while conquering heights and breaking new records. His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Thani isn’t just a museum president—he’s a record-breaking mountaineer, a sportsman, an explorer, a serial entrepreneur, and a philanthropist reshaping the intersection of sports, culture, and technology in the Gulf.
He is the first Qatari to reach the summit of Mount Everest (8,848m) — the tallest mountain on Earth — climb to the peak of Ama Dablam (6,812m) and completed the Seven Summits, standing atop the highest mountains on every continent. He even skied to the South Pole.
The athletic side of Sheikh Mohammed is just one part of his story. In an exclusive interview with ithraeyat, we met with His Highness to better understand the story behind the sports museum, his philosophy, and find out more about his own journey with sports and the importance of believing in oneself.
His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Thani seen here defying all odds as he climbs to the challenging mountains of Nepal. Courtesy of Sheikh Mohammed Al Thani.
As President of the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, I see it as more than a building—it’s a living symbol of what human potential looks like. Both the museum and I share the same mission: to inspire youth through the power of sport, and to show them that “impossible” is just a word. When someone steps into the museum, I hope they leave with the same fire an athlete feels when they achieve their dream.
I’m deeply grateful to Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani for her vision and guidance, and for always giving us the space to grow, to challenge ourselves, and to inspire others.
My favorite gallery is the Trophy Gallery, where every Olympic torch since the beginning of the Games is on display—it’s a reminder that the flame of human achievement never dies. I’m also proud of the Sports in Qatar section, which celebrates the achievements of my country and reflects our spirit and ambition.
Climbing the Seven Summits—culminating with Everest—was the greatest teacher I’ve ever had. Each mountain taught me something different, but Everest was where I discovered who I really am.
Through those climbs, I found the seven values that now define my life: passion, belief, patience, persistence, appreciation, humility, and inspiration. These aren’t just words—they are lessons the mountains carved into me, one painful step at a time. When I share my story, it’s not to highlight the summit, but to reflect the journey that led me there.
Ten days on the ice, just me and my closest friends, skiing toward a point no one can see—following only a compass. No crowds. No noise. Just the cold, the silence, and ourselves.
It was a fully unsupported expedition. We carried everything in and out. The cold tested our limits, but it also stripped away everything superficial. That solitude taught me more than any lecture ever could about resilience, clarity, and the quiet strength of a committed heart.
Location: Ama Dablam. Courtesy of Sheikh Mohammed Al Thani.
Location: Ama Dablam. Courtesy of Sheikh Mohammed Al Thani.
I want Arab youth to believe that they belong on the world stage, that their dreams are not only valid but attainable. We have the talent. What we need is more belief, and more support structures to help these dreams take shape.
If I could tell a 14-year-old Arab athlete just one thing, it would be: Never stop believing. Anything you set your mind to is possible. Just take it one step at a time.
For me, it’s personal. One of the people I admire most is Zed Al-Rifa’i, the first Arab to climb Mount Everest and complete the Seven Summits.
He wasn’t just a pioneer; he was my mentor. He introduced me to mountaineering and helped me see that these distant peaks weren’t out of reach. His journey wasn’t easy, but his persistence, humility, and quiet belief opened the path for the rest of us. He didn’t just climb mountains, he broke barriers for an entire generation of Arabs. I carry his influence with me on every summit.
Education is the cause closest to my heart. It’s the most powerful gift we can give, and the most transformative tool we can offer. Through my expeditions, we’ve raised millions to support education initiatives across the region and beyond. Climbing gave me purpose, but giving back gave me meaning. Every step I’ve taken on a mountain has been in service of something bigger.
“Through those climbs, I found the seven values that now define my life: passion, belief, patience, persistence, appreciation, humility, and inspiration. These aren’t just words—they are lessons the mountains carved into me, one painful step at a time,” Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Thani told Ithraeyat, sharing pearls of wisdom for all of us to reflect on.
I don’t believe in choosing one path. For me, sport, business, and giving back are all connected. They come from the same fire. What keeps me going is commitment, discipline, persistence, and one simple truth: If I don’t love it, I don’t do it. You don’t need to fit into a box. You just need to stay true to your purpose and never take a day off from it.
I don’t want to be remembered for a summit I reached or a record I broke. I want to be remembered as someone who gave, who helped others believe in themselves, who pulled people out of their comfort zones, and who lived with intention. That, to me, is the highest form of achievement.
As we have learned from Sheikh Mohammed, pushing oneself outside one’s comfort zone, trying out new challenges and exploring the vast world of sports, are just some of the ways of growing and becoming part of a bigger personal and collective story.
To find out more about the impressive 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum featured in Ithraeyat, click here.
To plan your visit to the sports museum next time you are in Qatar, please check the museum’s official website.
