The two-time Palestinian Olympian and Carleton University alum Yazan Al Bawwab says the Paris 2024 Olympics will be his last.
Born in Saudi Arabia and raised in Dubai, the son of a Palestinian refugee, Rashad Al Bawwab, achieved his father’s dream of becoming an Olympic swimmer to represent his country.
“I am delighted to be here to represent Palestine and give it a voice,” Al Bawwab told Capital Current from the French capital.
“I look like every kid in Palestine. I sound like them. They are brothers and sisters. I swim for all of them.”
Al Bawwab studied mechanical and aerospace engineering at Carleton, and has a master’s degree in international sports management from the University of London in the UK.
The 24-year-old began swimming when he was three, inheriting his father’s determination and persistence in pursuing big goals in life. After 20 years of training and working hard to qualify and participate in the Olympics, he has now decided to run his family’s furniture business in Dubai.
He is also starting several projects to support Palestinian athletes, including a mental health centre and building swimming pools for Palestinian kids with big dreams of their own.
“We don’t have a pool in Palestine, and we have people who want to be here [Olympics] to raise the flag. I want to give them that opportunity,” Al Bawwab said.
“I’m more privileged. My father sacrificed everything for me, so I’m able to take the opportunity and turn it into a reality. I will step up to do the same for my people.”
His father’s struggles and the story of Palestinians expelled from their homeland have influenced every part of Al Bawwab’s worldview.
As he is closing the Olympic chapter of his life, Al Bawwab told Capital Current he will keep working on advocating for human rights and supporting people in need. He wants to end people’s suffering so that one day everyone lives in peace and harmony.
“I would like to make a difference and help the weak. Nobody helped my dad. So I want to be that guy who helps people not just in sports, but also in education, health, life, advice, you know, everything,” he said.
“In Palestine, I want to be one of those guys that helps mediate the situation. I want the killing to stop.”
Al Bawwab also said he loves Ottawa and misses the Carleton campus. He described himself as a below-average student, encouraging his fellow Ravens to not give up when having a tough time in school.
He added that he wants everyone to remember Palestinians are people, and they have the rights to live with dignity.
“Palestinians are not given a fair chance in life. If they have it, they will take it. They will reach places and goals,” Al Bawwab said
“We’re not offered the same as everybody in the world.”
