Monday August 12, 2024
Mogadishu (HOL) — The Paris 2024 Olympics provided a stage for Somali-born athletes to demonstrate their immense talent and resilience. As the large diaspora competed under various national flags, these athletes carried the hopes of their communities while representing their adopted countries. Below is a detailed look at their backgrounds and how they performed in Paris.
Bashir Abdi – Belgium
Background:Bashir Abdi was born in Somalia in 1989 and later moved to Belgium as a teenager, fleeing the civil war in his home country. His journey from a refugee to one of Europe's top marathon runners is nothing short of inspirational. Abdi's career is marked by remarkable achievements, including setting a European marathon record and winning a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Performance in Paris 2024:
In Paris, Abdi added another Olympic medal to his collection, winning silver in the marathon with a time of 2:06:47. The marathon course was one of the most challenging in Olympic history, featuring 436 meters of elevation gain and steep gradients. Reflecting on the race, Abdi said, "The gold was gone, but in the chasing group, it was soon clear that it would be between me, Kipruto, and Geleta for silver and bronze."
Suldan Hassan – Sweden
Background:
Suldan Hassan, born in Somalia in 1988, found a new home in Sweden, where he developed into one of the country's leading long-distance runners. Earlier in 2024, he set a Swedish marathon record in Seville, running a remarkable time of 2:07:35. Hassan's dedication to his sport has made him a key figure in Swedish athletics.
Performance in Paris 2024:
Hassan competed in the marathon at the Paris Olympics, finishing 28th with a time of 2:11:21. The course's steep inclines and challenging terrain left Hassan fatigued by the end of the race. Reflecting on his performance, he said, "My muscles are more fatigued compared with the race in Sevilla... but I don't regret anything. At an Olympics, you should go 'all in.'" Although he didn't achieve a personal best, his effort in Paris remains commendable.
Mohammed Ahmed – Canada
Background:
Mohammed Ahmed's journey from Mogadishu to becoming one of Canada's premier long-distance runners is a powerful story of resilience. Ahmed has consistently been a force in international athletics, including becoming the first Canadian to break the 13-minute barrier in the 5000 meters and winning a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Performance in Paris 2024:
Ahmed's performance in Paris was a mixture of highs and lows. He finished 4th in the 10,000 meters, just missing out on a medal, but improved on his Tokyo Olympic finish. However, his 5,000-meter campaign was derailed by a fall during the preliminaries. Despite this setback, Ahmed remained determined, reflecting, "What happened... was unfortunate, and through no fault of anyone... I reserve some blame for myself that I did not lean on my experience to get myself out of trouble well before the moment that led to the fall."
Abdihamid Nur – USA
Background:
Abdihamid Nur's rise in American distance running has been swift and impressive. Originally from Somalia, Nur moved to the United States, where he quickly established himself as a top talent, winning NCAA titles and earning a reputation as a strong competitor in international events.
Performance in Paris 2024:
Nur's Olympic debut in Paris was marked by disappointment when he also fell during the final 100 meters of his 5,000 meters heat, preventing him from advancing to the final. The race was chaotic, with a slow pace that led to jostling and collisions. Despite this unfortunate outcome, Nur's potential remains high, and he is expected to remain a fixture in future competitions.
Ali Idow Hassan – Somalia
Background:
Despite Somalia's Olympic Committee receiving harsh but valid criticism ahead of the games, Ali Iidow Hassan's journey to the Paris 2024 Olympics was an achievement for Somali athletics. As the only athlete sent to the games, the two-time olympian carried the hopes of his nation on his shoulders after last year's fiasco at the World University Games in China.
Performance in Paris 2024:
Ali Iidow Hassan was scheduled to compete in the Men's 800 meters at the Paris Olympics. However, he did not start (DNS) in the repechage round, which resulted in his elimination from the competition. Despite missing his chance at an Olympic medal, Hassan's qualification alone was a significant achievement for Somalia, highlighting the potential of Somali athletes on the world stage.