[Kworb]

The other Somali athlete who competed in Beijing said that Samia Yusuf Omar tried to reach Italy from Libya, but she did not make it.

Source (Italian): http://pubblicogiornale.it/la-marcia...ese/2012-08-18



Her story (English): http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/bei...082408&print=1

Continued: http://www.aljazeera.com/sport/2011/...418320619.html

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samia_Yusuf_Omar

Video of her 200m run

[Jkobe]

Thats sad

[Beyhive2012]

why didn't she seek asylum in Beijing for a while instead of returning to Somalia?

[JonathanLGardner]

so sad. Her story is so inspiring though.

Strong woman to endure what she did for her dream.

[mike_10]

Rest in peace Samia Yusuf

[JonathanLGardner]

The italian article doesn't say anything about how she actually died.

Anyone know?

[Kworb]

Originally posted by JonathanLGardner

The italian article doesn't say anything about how she actually died.

Anyone know?

It's cause all they have is this guy's word. There is no way they can ever confirm her death. She was simply believed to be on a boat that sank as it attempted to cross the Mediterranean.

[Keira]

Aww... that's so terrible.

[JonathanLGardner]

Originally posted by Kworb

It's cause all they have is this guy's word. There is no way they can ever confirm her death. She was simply believed to be on a boat that sank as it attempted to cross the Mediterranean.

So tragic. What kind of boat? When I read all the articles yesterday I can only imagine a small boat that would never stand a chance in the open sea. I never realised that Olympians could live in such poverty.

[berberocka]

why was she on a boat alone? i dont understand

[JessieJHeartbeat]

That's so sad. x

[Kworb]

A refugee boat like these.

[berberocka]

Ohh I understand ... RIP

[JonathanLGardner]

Originally posted by Kworb

A refugee boat like these.

Well that's a bit better than what I was thinking but oh gosh, that's so tragic.

Do they sink often?

[Kworb]

Originally posted by JonathanLGardner

Well that's a bit better than what I was thinking but oh gosh, that's so tragic.

Do they sink often?

Yes all the time, cause there are too many people on them.

For example

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/af....boat.capsize/
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/af...nts/index.html

[Razzle]

How unfortunate. RIP to her and all other passengers

"From the news reports—and her older sister, who had the death confirmed by a fellow passenger—I think the boat accident happened early April 2012. However, this did not come to my attention until a couple weeks ago when Abdi Bile informed the rest of the world".

So the tragedy happened on April and was only reported recently?

[JonathanLGardner]

Originally posted by Kworb

Yes all the time, cause there are too many people on them.

For example

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/af....boat.capsize/
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/af...nts/index.html

Nooo, that's too sad.


So many so desperate to leave the country that they are willing to put themselves at such risk.

Of course it would be wiser to let fewer on at a time but I guess everyone is just so keen to get away.

[JonnyϟLightning]

Originally posted by Kworb

It's cause all they have is this guy's word. There is no way they can ever confirm her death. She was simply believed to be on a boat that sank as it attempted to cross the Mediterranean.

And they found no traces....?

[Honey]

That's so sad. Samia Yusuf Omar.

[Kworb]

Originally posted by JonnyϟLightning

And they found no traces....?

Not like they have DNA tests or dental records or anything. These are third world countries. If bodies wash ashore they're just cremated or buried in nameless graves.