His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday expressed his pride in the level of Jordan's participation in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, where the Kingdom won its first ever Olympic gold medal.

King Abdullah and Her Majesty Queen Rania received members of the Jordanian Olympic mission at Al Husseiniya Palace, where His Majesty said that the participation of Jordanian athletes in the Rio Olympics is a key step that should be built on in the future to make more achievements that all Jordanian men and women are proud of.

The King praised Ahmad Abu Ghaush, who scored gold in the taekwondo -68kg event, during the audience, attended by the champion's parents, saying it an achievement that held Jordan's name high in international sporting events.

The ceremony was attended by His Royal Highness Prince Hassan, President of the Higher Council for Self Defence Sports, His Royal Highness Prince Faisal, President of the Jordan Olympic Committee, His Royal Highness Prince Rashid Bin El Hassan, Taekwondo Federation President, the royal court chief, the minister of youth and other officials.

His Majesty bestowed upon Abu Ghaush and his coach Faris Assaf the King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein Medal of Excellence of the first order for the historic sports achievement. Jordan national taekwondo team head coach Chang Wen-Pin was also awarded the King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein gold medal.

The Olympic mission, which besides Abu Ghaush comprised two boxers, two swimmers, two runners and a judo player as well as coaches and other members of the administrative team, expressed their gratitude for the honour, which they said will be a motivation for further achievement after gold.