By Twenty-one-year-old swimmer Ziyad Saleem is set to represent Sudan in the 200m backstroke at the Paris Olympic Games, despite being born in the United States. Saleem is one of four athletes competing for Sudan across three disciplines at the Olympics.
Expressing his gratitude and excitement, Saleem stated, “I’m super grateful, I’m excited to go back to Sudan. I was able to win gold medals at the African championships and also Arab, but I was never able to go back and kind of enjoy that with them.” He added that he hopes to return to Sudan “whenever Sudan’s back to normal.”
Saleem’s Olympic participation comes against the backdrop of Sudan’s ongoing civil war, which began in 2023 and has displaced hundreds of thousands of people within the country and beyond its borders. The young swimmer acknowledged the challenges faced by people in Sudan, including his own family members who have been displaced to neighboring countries like Egypt and Ethiopia.
Motivated by the hardships in his ancestral homeland, Saleem sees his Olympic participation as an opportunity to bring a positive influence, even if only briefly. “I’m just grateful that I have the opportunity to represent them and hopefully give them something to look forward to by my swimming,” he said.
Alongside Saleem, Sudan’s Olympic team includes Rana Hani, a 15-year-old competing in the 100m freestyle swimming event; Yas Ezzeddine, participating in the marathon; and Abdullah Al Araby, competing in rowing.
These athletes represent Sudan’s hopes on the international stage amid challenging times for the country, showcasing the power of sport to transcend borders and conflicts. Their participation in the Paris Olympics serves as a beacon of resilience and national pride for Sudan, offering a moment of unity and celebration in the face of adversity.
As Saleem prepares to dive into the Olympic pool, he carries with him not just the aspirations of his family and fellow Sudanese, but also the spirit of cultural bridge-building. His journey from the United States to representing Sudan on the world’s biggest sporting stage exemplifies the global nature of the Olympic Games and the complex identities of many modern athletes.
The presence of these four athletes in Paris stands as a testament to Sudan’s enduring spirit and the unifying power of sport, even in the most challenging of times. As the world watches, Saleem and his teammates will not only be competing for medals but also for the hopes and dreams of a nation looking for moments of joy and pride.
