Waseem Abu Sal has a simple yet ambitious dream: delivering the first-ever medal for the Palestinians when he competes in the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics. The 20-year-old from Ramallah is poised to be the first Palestinian boxer to participate in the Olympics after he bagged a wildcard spot. Abu Sal will take on his first Olympic fight on July 28 after an unusual training routine with his remote coach Ahmad Harara, a Palestinian from Gaza currently based in Cairo and held back by Israeli travel restrictions. In fact Harara writes Abu Sal’s training schedule every day, and he trains in the morning, and again in the evening with coach Nader Jayousi. Although Abu Sal did not make it through the Olympic qualifying rounds, he received a wildcard spot in a system that ensures representation for all countries at the Games. The Palestine Olympic Committee has been represented on the International Olympic Committee since 1995 despite a lack of statehood.
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