Syrian duo chase dreams with Asian Games refugee team

I carry that story with me into every fight."We didn't leave our country by choice.

It was because of the difficult living conditions and the wars that took place, so we were forced to leave and move to another country to build a life there."The 24-year-old said he is not at the Games merely to make up the numbers."The preparations were really intense, and our goal isn't just to participate — we're hoping to achieve something, God willing."Hunaidi ‌also expressed ⁠gratitude to the International Olympic….

I've become a different person.

I have hope now, and I have dreams and ambitions for the future," the 18-year-old said."We've seen a different side of life, and we now have hope.

We've learned that nothing is ⁠impossible.

Things can be difficult sometimes, but with time, you can overcome them and move forward."Shiva Kesavan, vice chair of the OCA Athletes' Committee, praised the pair as role models, who have been integrated into the wider Asian Games community."It can be ⁠overwhelming for them to come straight into the Asian Games and see the top continental talents here," Kesavan told Reuters."They have their personal goals, but more importantly, they're now….

They will make friends, ⁠who'd support them and this is the human connection that sport is all about."So I tell them 'No pressure, you are already role models.

So just go there, have a good time, and express yourself through your sport.' "

Muhammad and Hunaidi make history as the OCA’s first dedicated refugee athletes.