Zakiya Nassar

Zakiya Nassar ( _ar. زكية نصار), born in 1986 or 1987 [http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080707.wswimmers07/BNStory/International/home?cid=al_gam_mostview "For Palestinian swimmers, it's a chance to swim"] , "Globe and Mail", July 7, 2008] , is a Palestinian swimmer.

She represented Palestine at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. In the lead-up to the Games, her coach, relayed by the media, commented that Nassar faced severe difficulties in training, due to her lack of access to a swimming pool. "The Globe and Mail" reported that " [t] here is no Olympic-sized pool in the Palestinian territories and no budget to speak of for the Palestinian Olympic swimmers". Nassar told the media that she was receiving no support from the Palestinian authorities, that she was able to swim once a month "at best", and that she feared a disastrous performance in Beijing. [ [http://www.courriersport.com/actu/jo/160408_Palestine.asp "JEUX OLYMPIQUES: Les Palestiniens à rude épreuve"] , "Courier international"] [ [http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3527840,00.html "From Jenin to Beijing"] , Ynetnews, April 5, 2008] The Israeli authorities subsequently granted her authorisation to swim in a pool in Jerusalem. [ [http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3529275,00.html "Palestinian Olympic runner receives exit permit"] , Ynetnews, April 8, 2008]

Nassar won her heat in the 50 metre freestyle event, but her time of 31.97 was not sufficient for her to advance to the next round. [ [http://africa.reuters.com/sport/news/usnBAN549894.html "Beijing's youngest is leader of the laggards"] , Reuters, August 15, 2008]

Nassar lives in Bethlehem and, as of 2008, is studying dentistry at the Arab American University in Jenin.

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