Tokyo, Japan, August 30, 2021: Syrian refugee Ibrahim Al Hussein, an amputee swimmer who lost a leg during the war in Syria, had to fight through the pain of a lung injury before the Paralympic Games in order to compete in Japan.
Al Hussein, who is captain of the Refugee Paralympic Team at Tokyo 2020, revealed his battle to the media for the first time after finishing his heat and final competition in the men’s 50m freestyle S9, in a time of 30.27 seconds, well off his personal best.
“I was literally swimming with my right lung not functioning,” he said. “I was breathing from one lung and doing my best in this situation.”
Al Hussein said the injury made him more determined to compete on the six-member Refugee Paralympic Team in Tokyo.
“I came here to deliver a message to the 12 million refugees with a disability around the world. I know millions of athletes are watching me and hoping for me to do my best.”
Al Hussein says his doctor has not been able to diagnose the full extent of his injury but has told him it may require surgery when he returns to Greece.
This was the second time that Al Hussein has represented refugees at the Paralympics. At Rio 2016, he carried the flag into the Opening Ceremony on a team of two that was then known as the Independent Paralympic Athletes Team.
“I would like to thank the International Paralympic Committee for helping organise this team with all these different nationalities. I am proud to represent the refugee team which was the first team to march in the Opening Ceremony.”
Al Hussein lost his leg in a bomb blast in Syria during the war there and nearly died. Sport has given him a new life.
“I think God wants me to stay alive for a purpose and that is to help all these people. And that’s what I’m doing now.”
Al Hussein is trying to offer the opportunity for other refugees to do sport, knowing how much it has meant to him. Back in Greece where he lives, he founded and helps run a wheelchair basketball league for refugees. There are 17 participants.
Source: International Paralympic Committee/Teddy Katz
