Meet the girl who dreams of being Gaza’s first Olympic swimmer
September 11, 2018 6:02 PM Subscribe
Fatima Abu Shedeq has been undergoing intensive swimming training three days a week, six hours a day inside the sports club in Beit Lahia, in the northern Gaza Strip. Her first goal is to make the Palestinian national swimming team and go to Tokyo for the 2020 Summer Olympics.
The 13-year-old has mastered the freestyle swimming technique. The club offers her basic swimming equipment required for international swimmers — otherwise, she would have no goggles or even a swim cap, as these are hard to find in markets in the Gaza Strip.
Traditionally, there have been few female competitive swimmers in the Gaza Strip, but their number has increased in recent years. There are currently 11 swimming clubs in the Strip, with approximately 100 swimmers in each.
The Independent posted a 10-minute video interview with Fatima. [video]
The 13-year-old has mastered the freestyle swimming technique. The club offers her basic swimming equipment required for international swimmers — otherwise, she would have no goggles or even a swim cap, as these are hard to find in markets in the Gaza Strip.
Traditionally, there have been few female competitive swimmers in the Gaza Strip, but their number has increased in recent years. There are currently 11 swimming clubs in the Strip, with approximately 100 swimmers in each.
The Independent posted a 10-minute video interview with Fatima. [video]
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Anyway, was just scrolling by and saw that no one else had posted yet and I know that can be discouraging (though people have favorited!) and thought I'd just say thank you for bringing this to my attention.
posted by dobbs at 1:04 PM on September 12, 2018 [1 favorite]