While Lebanon is going through an unprecedented economic crisis, six Lebanese porters traveled to Oran for the Mediterranean Games. The fencer Rita Abou Jaoudé testifies to the conditions of sports practice in Lebanon.
From our special correspondent in Oran,
In August 2020, a huge explosion in the port of Beirut kills dozens of people and injures thousands more. There are at least 218 dead. Images of this disaster have gone around the world and since then the Lebanese have been living through an unprecedented economic crisis. Not to mention the political crisis that is preventing the country from moving forward.
Today, young Lebanese are desperately looking to go abroad for a career. In 2021, 79,134 people left Lebanon, according to Information International, an independent research and consultancy firm based in Beirut. This is the largest wave of emigration recorded in five years.
” The economic crisis has slowed us down »
The fencer Rita Abou Jaoudé remained in her country. Present in Oran, she testifies to the difficulties for high-level athletes to continue their sporting career despite the economic crisis. “ I didn’t train much before I got hereshe says. With the Covid-19, the explosion of the port… it’s hard to train. We are sorely lacking in resources, we have no money to fill the car tank to go to the club, we no longer have our coaches, the economic crisis has slowed us down. We no longer play with the heart, we are emotionally tired. In Lebanon, the price of 20 liters of petrol is now higher than the minimum wage. After two group matches, Rita Abou Jaoudé qualified for the round of 16 before being eliminated. Apart from fencing, Lebanese athletes have represented their country in boxing, judo and weightlifting.
Lebanese athletes hardly participate in any international competition since the crisis in Lebanon. “ At home, there is no more bread, people are demonstrating, and we have in our minds the problems of our families. These issues trouble us even during the competition. But we have to be there to show the world that we are a strong people. I hope the coming years will be better “, explains Rita Abou Jaoudé.
” Sometimes there is no electricity »
Only six Lebanese athletes participated in the Mediterranean Games. It’s a lot less than usual. In 2018, in Tarragona in Spain, they were about thirty. The Lebanese National Olympic Committee had to make choices and many athletes were forced to stay at home. The Lebanese delegation will return home empty-handed. Far from the Italian raid, with almost 150 medals.
At 28, Rita Abou Jaoudé, who has been practicing fencing for two decades, hopes to experience the Paris 2024 Olympics. But she must participate in as many competitions as possible to earn points at the ranking list (international ranking). Trained in Beirut, she should participate in the Worlds in Cairo from July 25 to 20. “ My club was destroyed by the port explosion. The children no longer come, they are afraid. Sometimes there is no electricity. Only one track left to practice “, laments Rita Abou Jaoudé.
Now, 75% of Lebanese live below the poverty line. The financial crisis has wiped out salaries, medicines and foodstuffs have become almost inaccessible. Like a large part of the Lebanese, Rita Abou Jaoudé keeps her head held high and smiles while waiting for better days.
Statement by Rita Abou Jaoudé recorded by Christophe Jousset