The 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China are just around the corner, and on Friday, the Lebanese Olympic Committee introduced the six athletes who will be representing Lebanon at the games:
Nibal Yamout, for women's swimming; Wael Kobrosli, for men's swimming; Rudi Hashash, for men's judo; Gretta Teslakian, for women's track and feild; Mohamad Siraj Tamim, for men's track and feild; and Ziad Richa, for men's shooting.
Lebanon's athletes have medaled in the Olympics four times in the past, the last medal – a bronze awarded to wrestler Hassan Bchara – coming in 1980.
This year in Lebanon the games have been overshadowed by the political turmoil, and conversations with the athletes after the press conference showed some of their frustrations as well as their hopes.
Gretta Teslakian, who will run the 200 meter event, was beset by injuries over the last two months. She also said that she's been frustrated by the lack of resources for athletes in Lebanon.
“Somehow we feel down because we feel we can do more, but there is a lack of training facilities. Competing in the Olympics is something very big, and to compete in something very big, you need big facilities and resources.”
Nevertheless, nothing is stopping her from being excited, “Of course I’m excited about going there. I want to live the experience of being in China for the Olympics! It's something nice to represent Lebanon and I’m proud of myself.”
Rudy Hashash, who will compete in judo, believes that he has a chance place high.
“I have good expectations," he said. "I hope to get third or fifth. In judo you have a chance always; you can win or lose against anyone. I got third in the Asian games two months ago," he said, adding that, “Either way, it feels good to represent Lebanon”
Wael Kobrosli, who is competing in the 100 meter breast stroke, said that because of the recent violence, "I could not get into a swimming pool for two weeks, and for a swimmer that is a lifetime. But afterwards, I trained twice as hard to make up for it."
Kobrosli added, “I’m happy that even though we have less money and smaller training facilities than places like the USA, we are still going out there and competing with the best in the world.”
Teslakian echoed Kobrosli's enthusiasm, saying, “I’m living everything for my sport; all I do now is track and field.”
Ezzat Kraytem, the secretary general of the Lebanese Olympic Committee, told NOW that the athletes’ mission is about more than just winning medals.
“We have an excellent team this year, and we hope the best for them…But our team also has two messages to take with them to Beijing: One, to tell the world that Lebanon is back on track. We have a new government; we have a new president, and things are excellent. And two, to show the world that Lebanon exists; it has sportsmen, and it can get results."
"Most important," Kraytem added, "I hope our athletes will interact with other people and cultures in Beijing, and that they will come back and tell us about the things they’ve learned. They will be our ambassadors over there, to show everyone who the Lebanese really are.”