Incheon: As her country burns, a youngster from Syria is making a statement by giving her best in the swimming pool at the ongoing Asian Games.
Hours after the US and Arab allies launched their first air strikes against Daesh (the self-proclaimed Islamic State militant group) targets in Syria, Bayan Jumah was in the pool at the Munhak Aquatics Centre competing in the women’s 100m freestyle heats on Wednesday morning. Her time of 2 minutes, 05.94 seconds placed her at the bottom of her heat even though it was a shade better than her personal best of 2:06.26.
“This is sport and sport is meant to conquer everything. We had many heroes during the Arab Spring and they fought to create an awareness among the people. Just like these warriors, I want to fight for my country, but without the violence. Every time I enter the pool, I am making a statement on behalf of Syria,” Bayan told Gulf News.
“I don’t think about war or the Arab Spring or about what is happening back home. For me, this is the most important moment of my career to see myself swimming alongside so many champions of Asia. And if I can make an impact in the pool, then I am more than happy,” she said.
Two years back, she stood 40th overall in her favourite 100m freestyle at the London Olympics where Syria received a lot of international attention due to the strife back home. Another international event in the pool and nothing seems to have changed for her country. “I do sport for Syria. I compete for Syria and carry the flag of my country not just on the field but here in my heart,” she said.
Bayan is from Aleppo, where her entire family resides. She moved to Damascus about eight years back after receiving a scholarship from the university to pursue a degree in Political Sciences. She does make the occasional trip back to see the family and be with them - though her priorities are studies and swimming.
The 20-year-old stays in a common sports hostel along with fellow athletes who have also received scholarships from the Bashar Al Assad government.
“I have nothing against the [Al] Assad regime. I feel sad for my people as it is the innocent ones who will die in these strikes. But we are sportspersons and politics has nothing to do with sport. For me, it is about coming to the pool and giving off my best so that the Syrian flag is raised and people around the world become aware of our country,” she added.
