Somalia’s runners provide inspiration. Very cool article. Your thoughts?

Question

By Charles Robinson, Yahoo! Sports

5 hours, 1 minute ago

AP - Aug 18, 11:14 pm EDT

BEIJING – Samia Yusuf Omar headed back to Somalia Sunday, returning to the small two-room house in Mogadishu shared by seven family members. Her mother lives there, selling fruits and vegetables. Her father is buried there, the victim of a wayward artillery shell that hit their home and also killed Samia’s aunt and uncle.

This is the Olympic story we never heard.

It’s about a girl whose Beijing moment lasted a mere 32 seconds – the slowest 200-meter dash time out of the 46 women who competed in the event. Thirty-two seconds that almost nobody saw but that she carries home with her, swelled with joy and wonderment. Back to a decades-long civil war that has flattened much of her city. Back to an Olympic program with few Olympians and no facilities. Back to meals of flat bread, wheat porridge and tap water.

“I have my pride,” she said through a translator before leaving China. “This is the highest thing any athlete can hope for. It has been a very happy experience for me. I am proud to bring the Somali flag to fly with all of these countries, and to stand with the best athletes in the world.”

Answer 1

Hi, that is an inspiring young lady.. ust for her to be there was a blessing, I am proud for her for representing her country Somalia and I pray for her to do so again in 2012 and to win some medals...

Answer 2

http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijing...

Read the full article. Here, we have to pay homage not just to Samia Yusuf, and her single teammate, but also to the writer who so eloquently captured their story, and thought it worth telling.

I found the story inspiring, but also disturbing. We can and should do better than this! There is no reason that athletes should have to risk their lives to compete in the Olympics, and it is disgusting to me that a multi-billion dollar enterprise couldn't find some way to properly nourish and support two dedicated single people. I am humbled by the crowd response though, that recognized Samia as the athlete she is.

The fact those two were there at all is a testament to human willpower, and I pray that they will be recognized by someone who recognizes true spirit when s/he sees it. These two individuals showed a courage worthy of a gold medal by being there, and they should be honored for what that stands for. For starters, how about a proper trainer and a little money to support their families so they can practice their gifts? I just hope an individual comes forward, so these two extraordinary individuals aren't forgotten. And major kudos to the author of the piece, Charles Robinson, for doing so fine a job detailing their struggle.  

Answer 3

It brought tears to my eyes. She was the most dignified of all athletes, and really represents the true meaning of the Olympics.

It's not always about winning.

I'm happy that China got more gold's than us. It's about time someone beat us.