Valerie Tarazi, a Palestinian-American swimmer, is gearing up to represent Palestinians at the Olympics in Paris. Despite being born and raised in the US, Tarazi feels a strong connection to her Palestinian roots, particularly to Gaza, where her family has faced tragedy during the recent conflict.
Tarazi’s journey to the Olympics has been fueled by her childhood dream of becoming an Olympian, inspired by watching Michael Phelps win eight gold medals in Beijing in 2008. However, her participation in the games is not just about personal achievement; it is also a way for her to honor and commemorate the lives lost in Gaza during the war.
The road to the Olympics has not been easy for Tarazi, but she acknowledges that her struggles pale in comparison to those faced by her compatriots back home. One such athlete is Tamer Qaoud, a 1500 meter runner from Gaza whose dreams of competing in the Olympics have been dashed by the war and the lack of resources in Palestine.
Despite the challenges, Tarazi and her fellow Palestinian athletes, like Yazan al-Bawwab, are proud to represent their country on the world stage. They see their participation in the Olympics as a way to raise awareness about the struggles faced by Palestinians, both in sports and in everyday life.
As Tarazi prepares to compete in the 200m individual medley, she carries with her the hopes and dreams of a nation torn apart by conflict. Her journey to the Olympics is not just about winning medals, but about standing in solidarity with her people and showing the world the resilience and strength of the Palestinian spirit.
