If you have been
following the current affairs of the world, the 2012 London Olympic Games are
the latest ‘big-story’ across the globe.
Of the 204 countries involved in these games, Somalia deserves my
mention.
Two athletes, Zamzam
Mohamed Farah and Mohamed Hassan Mohamed, represented the Somali republic at
the games. Mohamed competed for 1,500 meters but didn’t qualify for the 5000 meters
race while Zamzam competed for the 400 m. both didn’t go past the prequalification
stage though Mohamed Hassan beat some nations in his track. Then how did they win,
you wonder.
Background knowledge of
the two athletes and what they are up against may help broaden your
understanding of their chances to have a shot at glory.
Most Olympians come
from countries that are more politically stable than Somalia. They enjoy a
regular professional training schedule lasting over four years; most have
access to state-of-the-art wellness facilities, highly nutritious foods and
better healthcare infrastructure, all of which are either nonexistent or
limited supply in Somalia.
In addition, Somali
athletes dodge bullets in order to train. When your life is threatened
everything else becomes almost nonessential.
For those who, while
seated on sofas sipping juicy fruit cocktails, bash Somali athletes on the
internet I tell you ignorance is bliss.
Nonetheless, it should
be clear that Somali athletes have braved a lot of hardships including great
insecurity to participate in the Olympics with pride.
Most countries have a
huge number of athletes to choose from and those who get selected are the cream
of their fellow countrymen. In lawless Somalia, volunteers are a welcome bet.
If anything, those who
would want to see a better Somali Olympic team this is your chance to build
that team for 2016. You can do so by making your donations available to the
potential gold medalists.
It shouldn’t be lost to
the public that Mo Farah who won the men’s 10,000 meter race for Britain is
also from Somalia. Also, Abdi bile became the fastest 1500 m champion in 1987 Olympics
and remained a formidable Olympian until 1996. This is where training infrastructure
makes all the difference.
All in all, Somalia’s
participation at this difficulty time in our history must be lauded as a win
and the athletes cheered up wholeheartedly.
