Meet The Palestinian Olympic Team Competing Against All Odds
In tribute to all the Palestinian athletes who couldn’t compete.
![Meet The Palestinian Olympic Team Competing Against All Odds](/content/images/size/w1200/2024/08/palestine-olympics-team-paris-israel-genocide.jpg)
Israel’s genocide has killed more than 300 Palestinian athletes and almost completely destroyed all sporting facilities in Gaza.
Meet the eight members of the Palestinian Olympic team competing against all odds.
Valerie Tarazi, Swimming
![valerie tarazi palestine olympics team swimming](https://almostmag.co/content/images/2024/08/valerie-tarazi-palestine-olympics-team-swimming.jpg)
"I swim to compete, they swim to survive."
Layla Al-Masri, Running
![layla al masri palestine olympics team running](https://almostmag.co/content/images/2024/08/layla-al-masri-palestine-olympics-team-running.jpg)
"While the world’s eyes are on the screen watching the Olympics, we want to use our unique platform as athletes to keep eyes on what’s going on in Palestine. I run for Palestine to represent something bigger than myself, the resilience of the Palestinian people, to bring voices to the voiceless."
Omar Yaser Ismail, Taekwondo
![omar yaser ismail palestine olympics team taekwondo](https://almostmag.co/content/images/2024/08/omar-yaser-ismail-palestine-olympics-team-taekwondo-1.jpg)
"I promise to give my all and do whatever it takes to raise my country’s flag on the podium. Together, we will show the world the strength and spirit of our nation."
Waseem Abu Sal, Boxing
![waseem abu sal palestine olympics team boxing](https://almostmag.co/content/images/2024/08/waseem-abu-sal-palestine-olympics-team-boxing.jpg)
"I’m the first Palestinian boxer to qualify to the Olympics. Sport is my way of resistance, my way to tell the whole world that I am Palestinian, free and resilient."
Mohammed Dwedar, Running
![mohammed dwedar palestine olympics team running](https://almostmag.co/content/images/2024/08/mohammed-dwedar-palestine-olympics-team-running.jpg)
"The International Court of Justice found Israel guilty of apartheid and declared its military occupation and settlements illegal. We support the demands of the Palestinian Olympic Committee [to ban Israel]."
Yazan Al Bawwab, Swimming
![yazan al bawwab palestine olympics team swimming](https://almostmag.co/content/images/2024/08/yazan-al-bawwab-palestine-olympics-team-swimming.jpg)
"I feel like it’s me, I feel I am Palestine. So if Palestine’s hurt, I am hurt and especially that I know some people don’t want the word Palestine to be said anymore. It’s difficult. We are also humans. We also want to play sports."
Fares Badawi, Judo; Jorge Salhe, Shooting
![fares badawi judo jorge salhe shooting palestine olympics team](https://almostmag.co/content/images/2024/08/fares-badawi-judo-jorge-salhe-shooting-palestine-olympics-team.jpg)
This year, eight athletes are competing for Palestine at the Paris Olympics – the most in Palestine's history.
![](https://almostmag.co/content/images/2024/08/palestine-olympics-paris-israel-genocide.jpg)
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