Inspirational story: Olympic sprint hero in war

There are two countries in the midst of war. The people of both countries live in extreme horror and panic. No one can guarantee that their lives will be lost in a day, or whether they will survive for a long time, even the priest. Can't give them an answer.

But even in such a cruel country, there are still some athletes who risk their lives to run on the streets and train in the field in order to participate in the Olympics, in order to round their own Olympic dreams. Two female athletes from two countries are representatives of this group.

The sprinter Dana Hays is the only female athlete to represent Iraq in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. She participated in the 100m and 200m competitions. Dana, 21, was born into a sports family. Her father was a champion of the Iraqi national team. Her brother is a bodybuilder.

However, Dana in her childhood did not have the opportunity to participate in the race. Her parents did not even dare to let Dana have a relationship with sports. It was during the reign of Saddam Hussein that the Iraqi sports community has long been shrouded in the horror of Saddam’s eldest son, Uday.

The turnaround appeared in 2003. That year, the US military began to invade Iraq; that year, Dana first wore running shoes and stood on the runway for the first time. After the road is not good to go, for Dana, the dilapidated running shoes, the old runway compared to the death threat is simply not a problem.

Dana’s coach, Yusuf Abdul Rahman, recalls those past events that are not far away, and still have a lingering fear. On one occasion, they had to drive through the Shiite and Sunni firefields in southern Baghdad in order to participate in the training. "We drove through the crossfire zone eight times that day, and I thought we were dead," said Usf. Dana felt lucky for her to survive: "The coach let me lie down, he drove the car fast. I was crying all the time, but I survived, thank goodness. I did not tell my parents about this. ”

In Afghanistan, big wars and civil strife have come on average for more than a decade. There are three athletes participating in the Beijing Olympics this year, including the 19-year-old female athlete Ahad Yar. She is the fastest female athlete in Afghanistan. Being able to participate in such a grand event as the Olympics is very difficult for war-torn Afghanistan.

As the only female member of the Afghan delegation, Ahad Yalga is not a professional athlete. She is an ordinary employee of a non-governmental organization. However, just 19 years old, she is already a veteran of the two Olympic Games. She said: "I have left Afghanistan for 15 international competitions. I also participated in the Athens Olympics in 2004. This is my second time in the Olympic Games, but this is my first time in China. ”

Ahad Yal, 19, began to participate in road races in 2004. In 2007, she broke the domestic record in Afghanistan in the 800 meters and 1500 meters. In talking about these records, Ahad Yalga said: "Having achieved such results in these two events has brought glory to myself and my country. As a Muslim woman, we are in some lifestyles. There are taboos, and this tradition makes us unable to take the initiative to participate in sports competitions."

Ahad Yar’s father is a carpenter and his mother is a housewife. Ahad Yal has eight brothers and sisters. She hopes that more and more Afghan women can participate in sports activities. She said: "In the leisure time outside training, I need to help with housework. I like a proactive lifestyle. As a A typical Muslim woman is very proud of her ability to participate in the Beijing Olympics. With these opportunities, many women in our country are participating in various sports activities."

"If I leave the sport, I think my life will stop." Iraqi sprinter Dana Haysan expressed herself. Participating in the Olympics is the biggest dream of an athlete, and the desire of the Iraqi athletes who have been devastated by the war to achieve this dream is even stronger. From deprivation of qualifications to permission to participate, Iraqi athletes have experienced the great joys of life in a few days. Dashing female athlete Dana Haishan, a girl who has been working hard for the Olympic dream, as a member of the Iraqi team, her dreams are more frustrating and more touching than those of other countries.

Even poverty, war, racial prejudice, and even illness and disability can't stop the steady pace of athletes from all over the world going to Beijing. They traveled far and wide, in order to rush to a beautiful and passionate Olympic covenant.

The victory of a game is a small wine for the rich and a big meal for the poor. In peacetime, we may not realize the mood of athletes in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, this cannot but be said to be a manifestation of the tenacious spirit of Iraq and Afghans in a special environment. Domestic suffering makes athletes know that they have more responsibilities, which is exactly what we expect to see. Their indomitable spirit is the model for us to learn. As long as you have a dream, you will be able to achieve the final victory.