Despite having access to a fraction of the resources other countries put into their Olympic programs - Palestinian athletes are training hard for the games in Paris. For two swimmers, the competition is about much more than medals.

Paris

The 2024 Summer Olympics are underway in Paris, with competition lasting until mid-August.

Paris Olympics

Under the flag of Palestine, Valerie Tarazi and Yazan al-Bawab are preparing to represent their country at the Paris 2024 Olympics. They are two of just eight Palestinian athletes who have the opportunity to compete in these games. Valerie and Yazan see this competition as more than just a quest for medals; it is a chance to bring attention to their homeland.

Both athletes are part of the Palestinian international diaspora. Valerie was born in the United States, and Yazan in Saudi Arabia. Despite having limited resources and training facilities due to the decades-long Israeli occupation, they remain dedicated to their cause. The lack of facilities like swimming pools poses a significant challenge for their training.

Training rigorously, the swimmers aim to keep the world's focus on Palestine. They emphasize that just participating in the Olympics is a statement in itself, reminding the world of the ongoing struggles in their homeland. 

Valerie and Yazan acknowledge that their visibility on the international stage is vital, even if they don't win medals. They hope that their presence at the Olympics will ensure that the plight of Palestinians is not forgotten.



Palestinian swimmers compete for recognition at Paris Olympics

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Paris Olympics