Palestinian swimmer defies odds, sends peaceful message at Paris Olympics

"France does not recognize Palestine. And yet I am here, with the flag on my chest," said the Palestinian swimmer Yazan Al Bawwab, quoted by Reuters, after finishing third in the 91-metre preliminary race at the Olympic Games in Paris.

Palestinian swimmer Yazan Al Bawwab pointed to his country's flag while participating in the 91-metre backstroke race at the Olympic Games in Paris.

The 24-year-old explained what it means to him to represent his homeland, where there are not only no swimming pools but also a lack of basic necessities such as water and food.

France does not recognize Palestine. And yet I am here, with the flag on my chest - he said after finishing third in the race.

I am very, very happy to be able to show the flag (...). This is my message of peace. We are trying to make the world know that we are people. We can play sports like everyone else - Al Bawwab told reporters, as quoted by Reuters.

Authorities in France stated in May that there were no appropriate grounds to officially recognise the Palestinian state, arguing that symbolic recognition would be useless if there was no actual progress toward a political process with the support of the United States.

According to local health services estimates in the war with Israel, over 39,000 Palestinians have died - most of them women and children – and over 90,000 have been injured. Moreover, more than 10,000 people are considered missing under the rubble.

Many people do not want us to be here. They do not want to see our flag. They do not want to hear the name of my country. They do not want me to exist. But I am here - Yazan Al Bawwab told journalists.