٠٠:٠٣:٥١Palestinian Olympic swimmer Yazan Al Bawwab shared his views on the opportunity to represent his country in Olympic Games amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war during an exclusive interview on Thursday in Paris, highlighting the plight of Palestinians who want to compete in top-level sports.
"We have no sports infrastructure; we have no pool in Palestine, but we have two Olympic swimmers here. So, we are very proud to raise the flag. We are very proud to be here. We really appreciate this platform for sports. We are here to succeed. We have a lot of people that support us," he said.
He continued by saying that he does not feel more motivated after seeing images of destruction in Gaza and stated that Palestinians deserve the same human rights as others.
"I'm raising the flag; I'm making sure that I'm a proud Palestinian. A lot of people don't want to be here. A lot of people don't want to see the flag. I'm here, and I'm proud," he explained.
Al Bawwab also added that 'it is unfortunate' that some "athletes have to advocate for human rights" while others take it for granted, however highlighting that he doesn't 'talk about politics.'
"You need an athlete that swims to tell you that. So, I and the Palestinians use our voices to advocate for that," he concluded.
Al Bawwab reportedly took part in the first heat of the 100-metre backstroke but didn't manage to make a mark that would allow him to be part of the tournament’s final.
The athlete is the son of Palestinian refugees who fled to Italy. Al Bawwab studied in Canada and the United Kingdom but now lives and trains in Dubai, according to local media reports.
Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7, killing 1,139 people, mostly civilians, and kidnapping over 200 according to Israeli officials.
Israel declared war on the group and a 'complete siege' of Gaza, with a large-scale campaign of air strikes. A ground incursion began at the end of the third week, with Israeli leaders vowing to 'wipe out' Hamas. Palestinian officials reported that at least 39,480 people had been killed and more than 91,128 injured at time of publication.
The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) claimed that Hamas locations and infrastructure were targeted in the response. However, United Nations experts warned against 'collective punishment' for the people of Gaza, before predicting a 'humanitarian crisis' and then claimed that 'hell is settling in' for the region.
'I'm a proud Palestinian' - Olympic swimmer Al Bawwab advocates for 'same human rights', opportunities at top-level sport amid ongoing Gaza conflict
Palestinian Olympic swimmer Yazan Al Bawwab shared his views on the opportunity to represent his country in Olympic Games amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war during an exclusive interview on Thursday in Paris, highlighting the plight of Palestinians who want to compete in top-level sports.
"We have no sports infrastructure; we have no pool in Palestine, but we have two Olympic swimmers here. So, we are very proud to raise the flag. We are very proud to be here. We really appreciate this platform for sports. We are here to succeed. We have a lot of people that support us," he said.
He continued by saying that he does not feel more motivated after seeing images of destruction in Gaza and stated that Palestinians deserve the same human rights as others.
"I'm raising the flag; I'm making sure that I'm a proud Palestinian. A lot of people don't want to be here. A lot of people don't want to see the flag. I'm here, and I'm proud," he explained.
Al Bawwab also added that 'it is unfortunate' that some "athletes have to advocate for human rights" while others take it for granted, however highlighting that he doesn't 'talk about politics.'
"You need an athlete that swims to tell you that. So, I and the Palestinians use our voices to advocate for that," he concluded.
Al Bawwab reportedly took part in the first heat of the 100-metre backstroke but didn't manage to make a mark that would allow him to be part of the tournament’s final.
The athlete is the son of Palestinian refugees who fled to Italy. Al Bawwab studied in Canada and the United Kingdom but now lives and trains in Dubai, according to local media reports.
Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7, killing 1,139 people, mostly civilians, and kidnapping over 200 according to Israeli officials.
Israel declared war on the group and a 'complete siege' of Gaza, with a large-scale campaign of air strikes. A ground incursion began at the end of the third week, with Israeli leaders vowing to 'wipe out' Hamas. Palestinian officials reported that at least 39,480 people had been killed and more than 91,128 injured at time of publication.
The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) claimed that Hamas locations and infrastructure were targeted in the response. However, United Nations experts warned against 'collective punishment' for the people of Gaza, before predicting a 'humanitarian crisis' and then claimed that 'hell is settling in' for the region.
Palestinian Olympic swimmer Yazan Al Bawwab shared his views on the opportunity to represent his country in Olympic Games amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war during an exclusive interview on Thursday in Paris, highlighting the plight of Palestinians who want to compete in top-level sports.
"We have no sports infrastructure; we have no pool in Palestine, but we have two Olympic swimmers here. So, we are very proud to raise the flag. We are very proud to be here. We really appreciate this platform for sports. We are here to succeed. We have a lot of people that support us," he said.
He continued by saying that he does not feel more motivated after seeing images of destruction in Gaza and stated that Palestinians deserve the same human rights as others.
"I'm raising the flag; I'm making sure that I'm a proud Palestinian. A lot of people don't want to be here. A lot of people don't want to see the flag. I'm here, and I'm proud," he explained.
Al Bawwab also added that 'it is unfortunate' that some "athletes have to advocate for human rights" while others take it for granted, however highlighting that he doesn't 'talk about politics.'
"You need an athlete that swims to tell you that. So, I and the Palestinians use our voices to advocate for that," he concluded.
Al Bawwab reportedly took part in the first heat of the 100-metre backstroke but didn't manage to make a mark that would allow him to be part of the tournament’s final.
The athlete is the son of Palestinian refugees who fled to Italy. Al Bawwab studied in Canada and the United Kingdom but now lives and trains in Dubai, according to local media reports.
Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7, killing 1,139 people, mostly civilians, and kidnapping over 200 according to Israeli officials.
Israel declared war on the group and a 'complete siege' of Gaza, with a large-scale campaign of air strikes. A ground incursion began at the end of the third week, with Israeli leaders vowing to 'wipe out' Hamas. Palestinian officials reported that at least 39,480 people had been killed and more than 91,128 injured at time of publication.
The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) claimed that Hamas locations and infrastructure were targeted in the response. However, United Nations experts warned against 'collective punishment' for the people of Gaza, before predicting a 'humanitarian crisis' and then claimed that 'hell is settling in' for the region.