Sports and recreation

Athletics are an important part of Djiboutian culture. Running is the most popular sport in Djibouti, and Djiboutian runners enjoyed great success in the 1980s. Ahmed Salah, Djibouti's most successful marathon runner, has won several international races, including the first world marathon championship in 1985.

Soccer has long become a sport loved by many spectators. In 1998, the Djiboutian national team participated in its first international tournament. Tennis is gaining in popularity, despite limited access to tennis courts and equipment. Pétanque is another popular sport. The game is similar to bocci ball in that players take turns rolling a ball as close to the target ball as possible. Every night, under street lights, groups of Djiboutians play billiards. Volleyball, handball, basketball and judo are also popular sports in Djibouti. Volleyball and handball both have active tournaments, but basketball is less well organized, due to a lack of suitable courts. Djibouti made his Olympic debut in 1984, at the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Its runner-up had an admirable record, and Salah won the country's first medal, a bronze in the men's team.