Palestinian athletes fight for both victory and visibility

Palestinian athletes are overcoming significant obstacles to achieve personal success while bringing attention to their nation's struggles through sports.

At the recent Paris Olympics, eight athletes represented Palestine, with taekwondo fighter Omar Ismail making history as the first to qualify directly in a combat sport.

Fadi Aldeeb, a 40-year-old from Gaza, was the sole representative for Palestine at the Paralympics. Paraplegic since 2001, he endured further heartbreak when his brother was killed in an Israeli airstrike just nine months before the Games, yet he still proudly carried the Palestinian flag at the opening ceremony.

Palestine is also competing in the third stage of the Football World Cup qualifiers for the first time, aiming for one of Asia's eight spots in the 2026 finals.

Belal Muhammad also made history by becoming the first mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter of Palestinian descent to claim a UFC title.

The global sports community should stand behind Palestinian athletes, as their struggle extends beyond athletic achievement to encompass the pursuit of human rights and dignity.