The Gaza Man: A Palestinian’s quest to make it to the Olympics

Mohammed Hamada is a champion weightlifter. But after struggling to survive in Gaza, he faces an uphill task.

Before every weightlifting competition, Mohammed Hamada thinks of Gaza.

He thinks of the destruction of his home and people, or of the mass grave he dug for residents of the building next to his.

These circumstances have created a special kind of athlete. One who had to eat animal food to survive, losing 18kg in the process. And one who ultimately had to leave Gaza and his family, so he could try and compete in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

“We came out of Gaza not to escape death,” the 22-year-old Palestinian weightlifter said.

“We left Gaza to complete our right to defend Palestine.”