Syrian refugee Eid Aljazairli answers your questions!
Eid Aljazairli
12 May 2022
For each Project, we give you the chance to ask questions to experts on the topic.
Meet Eid Aljazairli. Eid is currently at a swimming training camp in Spain so cannot send us a video, but he writes this about himself:
"My name is Eid Aljazairli and I arrived in the UK as a Syrian refugee in 2016. I now live in the London Borough of Waltham Forest, where I am studying Accounting and Finance at Kings College London, having gained a place thereafter completing a Kings College Foundation Course in 2020-21.
Though my journey to the UK from Damascus was hard — taking a total of 4-5 years — I have been determined since I arrived here to make the absolute best of myself.
In 2018, I came across a video of the US Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps and a dream was born in me: to become an Olympic swimmer. Although I had never swum before I practiced every day and with the amazing support of local swimming teams I was able to make enough progress to start training in the hope of being selected for the 2020 Refugee Olympic Team. I won the London Adult Achievement Award from Swim England 2019 and the Gold National Adult Achievement Award 2020.
Unfortunately, I did not make the Refugee Olympic team in 2021— the IOC asked for a time of 27-25s for the 50m freestyle to qualify with the team —My current best time for 50m Freestyle is 31.4s but my passion is as strong as ever, and I'm now determined to make the Paris 2024 Refugee Olympic Team."
Read more about his story here and watch a video about him below.
Read Eid's answers below!
Comments (20)
14 Apr 2022
Hello
My questions are:
1- How does it feel to be a refugee?
I want to tell you something that we all have ambitions and dreams and you want to become a good swimmer so you have to work hard to achieve your dream!
14 Apr 2022
Hi Eid, nice to meet you!
What were the barriers or challenges you faced through your journey until where you are now?
Did people support you when you said you wanted to be a swimmer in the Tokyo Olympics?
14 Apr 2022
1/ Do you think that the description of “refugee” and the troubles you faced is a motive behind the realization of a dream that is near?? Will women have a share of your sporting success and demand justice and equality in swimming between the sexes??
14 Apr 2022
1/ Do you think that being a “refugee” and the troubles you faced is a motive behind the realization of a dream that is close? 2/ Will women have a share in your sporting success and demand justice and equality in swimming between the sexes??
15 Apr 2022
I would like to ask you: You must have suffered a lot when you left your country: First, how did you feel for the first moment when you left a place where you lived and grew up for years of your life? Second, how was your path of displacement, meaning where did you start? What difficulties did you face during your journey? Third, if you were given the choice between staying in the place you are in now or going to another country, which country would you like to go to?
15 Apr 2022
When we talk about being a refugee, perhaps there were many difficulties, my question is, was there someone who welcomed you and helped you, in the period when you were leaving from Syria leaving everything behind??!
15 Apr 2022
Well, I have a question that is, refugees always dream, but in the end They surrender because they are refugees, so how did you break this barrier and run after your dream?!
Thank you for this great question.
Well, many people may say refugees do not have dreams and visions but actually, not all refugees are the same. Staying in a positive zone and avoiding any negativity in your mind takes you far. The word refugee is very powerful and it inspires me to be out of my comfort zone and inspire other people.
17 Apr 2022
Sure I miss your country, but how do other countries treat you in your achievement?
Thank you for the question!
Of course, I missed my home. Since I have arrived here in the UK people have been very supportive and kind whether learning English, getting to University to continue my studies or in my swimming training.
18 Apr 2022
Hello Eid, how was your trip from Syria to London? What are the challenges you faced during your trip? How did you create your passion to learn to swim and participate in the Paris Olympics? Thank you
Thank you for your question.
It was not really a trip as I had to leave when I was around 20-21 and it was very challenging and I had to learn how to survive to find a safe place that I could call home.
I have never swum before but one night after watching Michael Phelps swimming on YouTube he inspired me to a point that made me start this journey and learn how to swim and since that moment the passion I have for the sport is so strong and just wanted to swim and enjoy the journey!
Thank you
19 Apr 2022
Hello Eid how do you feel when you get outside. And how do you feel when you are treated badly when you say you are refugees.
Thank you for the question!
I feel myself and free when I am outside and since I have arrived in the UK people have been so supportive and kind to me. However, some people might not like you or treat you differently but I am a very positive person and it doesn't matter because I always treat them the same way I treat my friends and the people that I love.
20 Apr 2022
I would like to ask Eid that Were there any psychological issues you faced while trying to settle in a whole new country? If yes, then can you name the?
Thank you for the question!
Of course, it is very challenging to be in a new country especially when I had to learn English and communicate and understand people. Missing my family, the culture, the food and I miss the smell of jasmine in the old Damascus streets. Flashbacks are a big issue.
20 Apr 2022
I hope you like the situation in Syria Good luck to all 🌹🤍🌹
Thank you so much!
The situation way better than before and family doing great. :)
14 May 2022
Eid Aljazairli
I know how it feels to be a refugee because I left my country also when I was in Syria. I missed all my friends and lost my family members so my question is how did you handle it?
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