Libyan Athlete Overcomes Challenges

In the face of adversity, Libyan athlete Retaj al-Sayeh pursues her Olympic dreams, defying a patriarchal society and overcoming challenges in her war-torn homeland. Practicing discus throws near a dilapidated track in Tripoli’s Sports City, Sayeh, 23, aspires to compete in the Paris Olympics despite injuries, limited resources, and a lack of interest in women’s sports in Libya. Despite the turmoil since the 2011 revolution and the ongoing insecurity, she has amassed national and continental medals and remains determined to reach the Olympic standards. Sayeh, coached by her father, Salem Sayeh, a former volleyball player and captain of the Libyan national team, expressed confidence in her abilities despite the hardships. Training relentlessly in abandoned areas, she prepares for upcoming competitions in the UAE and the African Championships in Athletics in Cameroon, aiming to break her personal record. To qualify for Paris, she needs to achieve a minimum distance of 64.5 meters. Despite setbacks, including a visa issue that prevented her from participating in the Junior World Championship in Poland in 2016, Sayeh has persevered, earning a silver medal at the African Championships in Algeria in 2017. Her father, dedicated to supporting her despite limited resources, believes in her potential to establish herself internationally. Despite a lack of funding and interest in women’s sports in Libya, Sayeh’s determination and her father’s unwavering support drive her towards realizing her Olympic dream.

_{Repurposed article originally published in the Barron’s}