Palestinian Olympic team given warm welcome at London city hall

The Palestinian Olympic team received a warm welcome at the city hall, the London mayor office. About 60 people greeted the five Palestinian athletes who made it to London for the 2012 Games.

Only one of them reached the qualifying standards. Abu Rmeileh, a 28 years old Judoka, made history as the first ever to qualify for the world biggest sporting event. Abu Rmeileh will be carrying the hope of his people and the Palestinian flag at the opening ceremony.

"I am proud to fly high the Palestinian flag during the ceremony, this is an affirmation that we Palestinians exist and hope our state will be one day as other sovereign states around the world."

The other four athletes will be competing by invitation from the international Olympic committee. Baha Alfarra will be running the 400 meters; he seeks to improve his personal record by at least two seconds despite the difficulties that all athletes faced during their preparations to the London Games.

Bah sees the participation of Palestine in this big event as an achievement in its self even though it has been difficult for people in Gaza and Palestine in general.

Waroud Salwalha is a track athlete competing in the 800 meters; she is the first female to represent Palestine in this category wearing a headscarf in the Games.

Waroud is hoping to be an example to all Muslim women that they can still practice sport wearing a hijab.

In swimming Sabine Hazboune and Ahmed Gebril will represent Palestine in 50 meters freestyle.

The Palestinian Olympic team has demonstrated an inspiring unity of purpose, overcoming the difficulty of division to take part in the Olympics for the fifth time. This coincides with the Palestinian quest to obtain international recognition of Palestine as state in the United Nations council.