Nader Almassri is Swifter, Higher, Stronger
The following is a guest posting by Sim Sim, a devoted KABOBfest reader and Palestinian marathon runner. Enjoy!
Palestinian Nader Almassri, a resident of Beit Hanoun Gaza competed in the Olympic Games this morning. Nader, who finished last in his qualifying heat (38/39 runners overall) won’t garner the headlines of a Michael Phelps but his performance should be equally revered by Palestinians for fulfilling the Olympic motto – Citius, Altius, Fortius (Swifter, Higher, Stronger).
Nader, the flag-bearer for Palestine in the opening ceremonies finished the 5km (3.1 miles for you Americans) qualifying round race in 14min 41sec close to his personal best time. In the midst of serious adversity, Nader hung with the best distance runners in the world. His time was within a minute of world class runners such as Canadien Kevin Sullivan (5th in Sydney Olympics) and rising American star Ian Dobson (3rd at US Olympic Trials).
Keep in mind Nader has logged hundreds of miles training alone on the potholed roads of Gaza since he couldn’t get permission from Israel to leave until just before the Olympics. Unlike every other runner in this race, Nader has no funding so doesn’t share the benefit of world class coaches and training partners, proper training shoes, nutritional supplements, or the ability to travel and train at temperate climates and high altitude. These are serious disadvantages for a runner in world class competition yet Nader truly hung in there.
Nader has been the face of the four-person Palestinian Olympic team. Time Magazine profiled Nader as #32 in their 100 “Olympic Athletes to Watch” (in between Kobe Bryant and women’s marathon record holder Paula Radcliffe of the UK).
Check out the stats: Track & Field: Men’s 5000 Meters
