US-born Palestinian runner Layla Almasri at the Paris Games: 'We're diplomats as well as athletes'

Layla Almasri, of Palestine, competes in a women's 800 meters round 1 heat at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France.

Layla Almasri, of Palestine, competes in a women's 800 meters round 1 heat at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)


2 photos
0
Save Story
Leer en español

Estimated read time: Less than a minute

SAINT-DENIS, France — American-born Palestinian runner Layla Almasri realizes the weight of responsibility that she and her team carry at the Paris Olympics. It's about far more than merely competing. She says that "I think I can speak for all eight of us here at the Olympics. We're definitely diplomats for our people as well as athletes." It hardly mattered that Almasri finished last in her heat and 48th of the 49 finishers in the 800-meter heats. She said she "just soaked in the moment." Her father left Nablus for Colorado and Almasri was born and raised in Colorado.

Photos

Most recent Olympics stories

Related topics

OlympicsNational Sports
Andrew Dampf

    SPORTS NEWS STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX

    From first downs to buzzer beaters, get KSL.com’s top sports stories delivered to your inbox weekly.
    By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
    Newsletter Signup