In Pictures

Gallery

Fragile peace bolsters Somali Olympic hopes

Runners in war-torn Mogadishu are training religiously, vying for a spot in London’s upcoming Summer Olympics.

In Mogadishu(***)s bullet-ridden Konis stadium, a small group of motivated runners have finally found a place in which to train for the Olympics.
By Phil Moore
Published On 19 Jul 2012

For many in Somalia’s war-torn capital, Mogadishu, running was something that was done only when fleeing bullets or exploding shells. But with a relative peace having been restored to the city, the few men and women comprising the Somali Athletics Federation train religiously, holding out hope for a wild-card place in this year’s Olympic Games in London.

During the time of al-Shabaab, a Somali Islamic militant group that ruled Mogadishu until African Union forces ousted them last August, runners such as Abdinasir Ibrahim – the Somali 5,000-metre champion – would dash across the front line in order to train, hiding behind moving vehicles as they traversed the conflict.

For female runners, training was even more difficult. Leila, a slight 15-year-old, had to hide her tracksuit beneath a burka until she reached a compound where she was secure enough to run. “The stadiums were closed because of the fighting,” she remembers.

The venue for their training is scarred by the years of fighting that enveloped Mogadishu. Konis Stadium was held by al-Shabaab until the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) retook the city.

Olympic hopes in Mogadishu were dealt a crushing blow last April when Aden Yabarow Wiish, the head of the Somali Olympic Committee, was killed in an attack by a female suicide bomber at the National Theatre. But despite this, the runners continue to train, hoping for a spot in London’s games.

During Al-Shabaab(***)s reign in Mogadishu, the stadium was used as a base by the Islamic militant group.
Advertisement
Britain(***)s Mo Farah, the world 5,000-metre champion, was born in Mogadishu and has supported the the Somali Athletics Federation by donating running gear.
Abdinasir Ibrahim, the Somali 5,000-metre champion, has been running in these worn-out trainers for years, and used to cross the front lines in order to train.
At age 22, Abdinasir grew up during the war that has engulfed Somalia and its capital since 1992. Bullet holes riddle the window of his bedroom.
African Union forces retook Mogadishu from Al-Shabaab last August, but a large military presence remains throughout the capital.
Since the outbreak of conflict here, Mogadishu(***)s main stadium has been occupied by Pakistani peace-keepers, Ethiopian forces, Al-Shabaab and now the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
Advertisement
The capital bears the heavy scars of 18 years of conflict, but normal life is slowly returning to the city. Runners drink fruit juices like the ones at this stall as a replacement for energy drinks.
With the new peace, residents of Mogadishu are returning to the Lido beach, swimming in the warm Indian Ocean and running along its white sands.
In a city where an informal curfew was imposed at 4 pm, daily life now carries on into the night.
When Al-Shabaab controlled the city, 18-year-old Amal Mohamed Bashiir received death threats when she used to train.
Now that the militants have been driven from the city, girls and women are less restrained by strict cultural practices that were imposed on them.
This group of four girls are now free to train, hoping to compete in the London Olympic games.
With the relative peace, running is just one part of a new hope enveloping Mogadishu. The city(***)s mayor, himself a former Londoner, is keen to promote the sport.