DETERMINATION

Her Olympic dreams were put on hold 24 years ago when Saddam Hussein's regime forced her to become a swimming coach and lifeguard at one of the dictator's presidential compounds. Now that Saddam is gone, Hamdiya Ahmed al-Sammak has taken up her athletic career again, training in the javelin throw five days a week despite daunting odds.

She won't say her age but is apparently in her early 50s. Al-Sammak is also blind in one eye and has a throwing arm that was broken in 1990 and never set properly.

She still holds the national women's record for the javelin and has won medals at home in swimming, running, equestrian, discus and hammer throw.