Gaza runner Bahaa al-Farra (L) and his coach Majed Abu Maraheel stretch during a training session on a beach in Gaza City, Jan 30, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Fantasty and reality

Farra, a 400 meters runner, said he could not wait to get to London and dreamt of standing on the winners' podium.

"It's going to be a beautiful feeling to represent Palestine ... like all the other athletes, I dream of winning a medal ... I hope to carry the flag and tell the world that regardless of all the difficulties, we exist", he told Reuters.

But with a personal-best time of 49.04 seconds, almost six seconds slower than Michael Johnson's world record of 43.18, and more than three seconds slower than the Olympic B-standard minimum qualifying time, Farra's medal ambitions will remain a fantasy.

His top time was achieved at last year's IAAF World Championships in Daegu, South Korea where he finished 34th out of 37 starters.

Gaza runner Bahaa al-Farra trains on a beach in Gaza City, Jan 30, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Farra's coach, 48-year-old Majed Abu Maraheel, who was the first Palestinian Olympian in Atlanta where he ran in the 10,000 meters, said Farra would be a source of pride for his countrymen but that it was time to aspire to more meaningful achievements.

"Bahaa is still young and full of energy and defiance and I expect him to carry out his mission as required, but we need to rise above symbolic participation. We want to improve records but to do that we need of all the help we can get."

Abu Maraheel treasures the trainers he wore in Atlanta and says he rescued them along with other trophies and mementos when his home was hit during Israel's military offensive on the Gaza Strip three years ago.

"The house was hit ... and we escaped, but I made sure I took the shoes with me", he said.

Farra needs $12,000 to finance his training and special diet in the final six-month buildup period to London but he has not seen a penny of funding, said Abu Maraheel, who will accompany him.

"Ideally, if we want to improve results we need to fund a two-year preparation plan to an Olympics or any major competition, but we don't have a proper budget, we don't have a track or other vital facilities. We are trying to achieve something out of nothing," he said.

Gaza runner Bahaa al-Farra puts on his shoes before a training session on a beach in Gaza City, Jan 30, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Farra said he realized the importance of what he was doing for his local community. "In my neighborhood people know how important it is for one of their own to take part in such a competition and they are happy for me," he said.

Abu Maraheel said participation in major sporting events was no less important than political struggle. "We want to use sport as a language that everybody understands to tell the world that the Palestinian people exist," he said.