Olympic refugee swimmer Alaa Maso found a new home in Germany after fleeing the civil war in Syria. His journey to Europe with his brother led to them being granted asylum in Germany. Despite the setback of losing crucial training years, Maso’s dream of competing at the Olympics came true in Tokyo as part of the refugee team and will continue in Paris. Representing over 100 million forcibly displaced individuals worldwide, Maso aims to show that immigrants can achieve their goals and integrate into new societies. Amidst rising anti-immigrant sentiment in Germany, Maso stresses the importance of cultural integration workshops for refugees while acknowledging the political challenges faced. Despite uncertainties, Maso is optimistic about his future in Germany and plans to apply for citizenship, expressing willingness to compete for his adopted country in the future. With the Paris Olympics approaching, Maso’s story stands as a testament to resilience and determination in the face of adversity.
Refugee swimmer calls for improved integration efforts
