ARBIL (Iraq), June 28: Iraq’s sole weightlifting competitor Sawara Mohammed had no thoughts of Olympic glory when he began building his powerful physique by shovelling cement at age 13. He took it up to help support his 10 brothers and sisters.

Mohammed, 26, a short and stocky man, will compete in the 67 kilogramme category in the Beijing Games in August.

He was able to quit shovelling a few months ago after northern Iraq’s oldest weightlifting club in Kurdistan’s capital of Arbil lent its support with a 250-dollar monthly stipend.

It is nowhere near enough to meet costs but Mohammed hopes that his performance at the Olympics will help ease the pain of his war-ravaged country, whatever his medal chances.

“The lack of financial resources makes training very difficult,” Mohammed said.

“If I had only part of what other athletes (in other countries) get, I would be able to get a good result in Beijing,” he said, pointing to his torn and tattered shoes in the dingy, dust-filled club in Arbil.

“I just hope that my level of readiness will be good enough so that Iraqis can rejoice, as sport has become the only outlet for enjoyment in this country.

“Even though my chances for a medal are not good, I will feel the spirit of the Olympics and enjoy the historic moment, especially in the opening ceremony,” the soft-spoken worker said.

He was selected after a doping scandal eliminated team-mate Mohammed Aboud, Asia’s 2008 silver medallist in the 105 kilogramme class and Iraq’s best hope in Beijing. “I don’t even know when I’m supposed to leave for Beijing,” he stated.—AFP