The Doha 2040 Summer Olympics are supposed to be about gold medals and global unity. Instead, they kick off a descent into terror when 12 Israeli and Lebanese athletes vanish, leaving behind only the chilling threat of The Obsidian Hand and an impossible $500 billion ransom. Veteran journalist Nova Mendelsohn finds herself entangled with a cryptic Ancient Arabic note and a mysterious local merchant, forced to race the clock. Her pursuit of the truth will take her from the glittering Olympic Village into the city’s darkest corners and onto the blood-soaked sands of the desert, where a centuries-old vengeance threatens to ignite a catastrophic final act. What secrets lie beneath the surface of the Games, and what will it cost Nova to uncover them?

Excerpt

Nova’s pen hovered above her notepad as the stadium shimmered into life. The world held its breath as the countdown echoed through the vast expanse of Lusail Iconic Stadium. A sea of lights pulsed in perfect harmony, reflecting the shimmering brilliance of the Persian Gulf beyond the skyline. It was July 20, 2040, and Doha, Qatar, was making history as the first Middle Eastern city to host the Summer Olympics.

The stadium, a fusion of modern architecture and traditional Islamic motifs, was at full capacity, an electrified crowd of 100,000 spectators draped in the colors of their nations.

This historic event was also the first Olympic Games under the leadership of International Olympic Committee President Sheikh Tariq bin Fahd Al-Mazrouei of Kuwait. His appointment marked a new era for the Games, emphasizing inclusivity and regional representation. Now, standing beneath the Olympic cauldron, his legacy was on the line.

The significance of hosting the Olympics in the Middle East was palpable—this was a moment of pride, a testament to the region’s growth, and a celebration of its rich heritage.

Inside the tunnel, athletes from every corner of the world lined up in preparation for the grand parade of nations. Dressed in sleek uniforms designed to combat Doha’s notorious summer temperatures, the Olympians awaited their moment to step onto the track. Among them, the Israeli and Lebanese contingents found themselves standing side by side, their nations' flags adorning their uniforms.

Maya Ben-Ari, a sprinter from Israel, adjusted the sleeve of her white-and-blue tracksuit and exchanged a glance with her teammate, Lior Abramson, a swimmer set to compete in the 400m freestyle.

“Crazy, isn’t it?” Maya murmured, shifting from foot to foot. “First Middle Eastern Olympics, and we’re part of it.”

Lior smirked. “Let’s just hope the politics stay outside the stadium.”

A few feet away, Yasmine Haddad, a Lebanese taekwondo champion, overheard the comment. She turned to her fellow countrywoman, Nadine Al-Rassi, a long-distance runner, and nudged her slightly. “You hear that?” she whispered.

Nadine sighed. “Of course. But tonight isn’t about that.”

Yasmine hesitated, then took a breath and stepped closer to Maya. “It’s a first for all of us,” she said cautiously. “Maybe we should just appreciate that we’re here.”

Maya blinked, surprised. In past Olympics, tension had always shadowed their nations’ delegations. But this time felt different—perhaps because of the location, or maybe because the world itself was tired of division.

“Agreed,” Maya finally said, offering a tentative smile. “No politics. Just competition.”

Yasmine nodded, and the two exchanged a brief handshake—small, but monumental in its own way.

Suddenly, a deep voice boomed through the stadium’s speakers. “And now, the Parade of Nations!”

One by one, countries were introduced alphabetically, their athletes marching into the stadium beneath a dazzling array of lights.

When Israel was announced, its athletes stepped in sync. Their flag bearer, Ronit Weissman, a decorated judoka and the first Israeli woman to win back-to-back world championships, led the team with a confident stride. She held the Star of David aloft, her expression one of sheer determination and pride.

A murmur rippled through the stadium, quickly growing into audible boos from pockets of the crowd. Some spectators remained silent, while others clapped politely, but the wave of jeers was undeniable. Maya felt her stomach tighten as she walked alongside her teammates.

Lior clenched his jaw. “Well, so much for fucking keeping politics out of the stadium,” he muttered under his breath.

Maya exhaled slowly. “Just keep walking,” she said. “We knew this bullshit might happen.”

From a few feet away, Yasmine watched the Israeli team endure the reaction. She glanced at Nadine, who remained impassive. “Sucks to be them,” Yasmine admitted.

Nadine nodded. “You don’t have to like someone to respect that they trained just as hard to be here.”

Moments later, the Lebanese team stepped forward, their red, white, and green uniforms gleaming under the stadium lights. At the front of the delegation, holding the Lebanese flag high, was Omar Haddad, a decorated Greco-Roman wrestler and two-time Olympic medalist. His grip on the cedar-emblazoned banner was firm, his posture dignified, embodying the pride of a nation that had endured challenges yet continued to shine on the world stage.

As they entered, a wave of cheers erupted from the stands. Lebanese expatriates, many draped in their homeland’s flag, stood proudly, chanting and waving in unison. The sound of traditional Lebanese derbakke drums echoed through the stadium, adding a rhythmic pulse to the moment. Yasmine felt a surge of exhilaration, exchanging glances with her teammates as they waved to the crowd.

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About the Author

Joe Battaglia is a seasoned and award-winning journalist who spent years in The Olympics arena. With over two decades in sports media, Battaglia has led content creation across news, politics, and athletics, including a role on the NBCOlympics.com team that earned a Sports Emmys for Outstanding New Approaches To Sports Event Coverage for the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Summer Olympics. He currently lives in Texas with his family. Joe is the author of the award-winning children’s book, The ABCs of Track & Field: A Fast Start For Future Runners Jumpers & Throwers, and Beneath the Rings is his debut adult novel.