Athletes from conflict zones outside the spotlight find hope at the 2024 Olympics
When they compete at the Paris Games, they’re just athletes at their peak, and the emphasis isn't that they come from regions ravaged by war
By HANNA ARHIROVA
Published - Aug 09, 2024, 05:04 AM ET
Last Updated - Aug 09, 2024, 05:04 AM EDT
PARIS (AP) — When they compete at the Paris Games, they’re just athletes at their peak. The emphasis is not that they're coming from regions ravaged by war.
The Olympics — focused on celebrating peace — has brought together 10,500 athletes, including those from countries where 110 armed conflicts are raging. These are conflicts that often are not grabbing attention as the wars in Gaza and Ukraine dominate headlines.
For instance, Cameroon had six athletes in Paris; Myanmar had two, a swimmer and a badminton player; Libya, beset by militia conflict since the Arab Spring uprising in 2011, sent six athletes.
Wars — from Yemen to Syria and beyond — have indelibly shaped athletes from those places who think of the 2024 Olympics beyond sports.
