STORY: Syrian athletes strive to forge path to glory despite challenges
DATELINE: Aug. 29, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:11
LOCATION: Damascus
CATEGORY: SPORTS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Syrian weightlifters 
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): MAN ASAAD, Syrian weightlifter
3. various of Syrian weightlifters and wrestlers
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): OMAR SAREM, Syrian wrestler
5. SOUNDBITE 3 (Arabic): MUHAMMAD AL-HAYEK, Member of the Executive Office and Head of the Athletics Office

STORYLINE:
   
As the Hangzhou Asian Games in China draw near, Syrian athletes are preparing to give their best performance. 

Their aim isn't just to secure medals, but also to reshape global perceptions of Syria with every effort they make.

At al-Fayhaa sports city in Damascus, the athletes are undergoing intensive training.
     
SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): MAN ASAAD, Syrian weightlifter
"There are overwhelming difficulties. Whether during the war or now, our economic situation is difficult. Before the crisis, it was extremely difficult for us. We used to face challenges every day and when the crisis came, it brought new challenges, but that made us only more determined to make achievements. We are so determined to give other people a good image of us and our country."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): OMAR SAREM, Syrian wrestler
"We went through a tough economic situation and the war, so representing the country abroad is an achievement for oneself and for the country. Despite the war and everything we endured, we show up for the training and hold up the flag of our country high. That's considered an achievement because we beat all the odds and challenges, whether they are about the economic situations or transportation or anything else. We surpassed all these challenges and came to train to score gold medals."

While sanctions have restricted opportunities for training abroad, these athletes haven't lost heart. 
   
SOUNDBITE 3 (Arabic): MUHAMMAD AL-HAYEK, Member of the Executive Office and Head of the Athletics Office
"The (Syrian) people have withstood sanctions and global adversities for 13 years. The athletes are part of the Syrian people who withstood difficulties and found alternatives. They are brave and have a strong will to overcome problems. Even if we don't have external training camps, we make training camps inside the country, and we have the strength to hoist our country's flag in international arenas."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Damascus.
(XHTV)