Trojan Swim Club’s Azad Al-Barazi is just trying to represent Syria, to provide hope and inspiration for young athletes in his war-torn country. But it’s not that simple. It’s a complicated and often frustrating experience and Al-Barazi is coming to the end of the road.
Azad Al-Barazi in the 100 breaststroke at the 2016 Austin Pro Swim Series (photo: Mike Lewis)
Al-Barazi is just home from the Arab Games in Dubai, which he called, “a shocker.” For the first time in his six-year international career representing Syria, he was made to feel unwelcome at a FINA meet. “They didn’t allow Syria to be in the meet for political reasons. They said I could stay because I also have a U.S. passport, but I was kicked out of the coaches’ meeting and had to swim in the B finals with the rest of the international swimmers.” Syria wasn’t alone, though. “They wouldn’t let Kuwait swim either. It was very sad. We should be one people and should stand together. Why was I punished as an athlete?” he mused.
Al-Barazi grew up in California and went to University of Hawaii, but spent summers with relatives in Syria. He was “discovered” swimming laps at a the town pool near his grandmother’s home in the summer of 2010. He was invited to apply for Syrian citizenship in order to represent the country internationally. Al-Barazi was one of the nine athletes competing under the Syrian flag at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
Meanwhile, the war in Syria that had begun in 2011 was getting worse and it was becoming difficult to reach people at the Federation after London. Finally, with the intervention of a lawyer who has represented other international athletes such as Al-Barazi’s good friend Ous Mellouli, he was able to represent Syria at FINA’s 2014 World Short Course Championships in Doha and 2015 World Championships in Kazan.
Drained from his experience in Dubai last week, Al-Barazi is happy to be back on U.S. soil. He will continue to swim throughout the qualifying period to try to make the 2016 Olympic Games, and he is in Mesa this weekend for the Arena Pro Swim Series. “My goal is the A cut (1:00.57). I’ve been 1:00.89 but I’d like to get the auto cut. I’ll have a 50/50 chance with a B cut. After Mesa, I’ll go to Charlotte and Santa Clara, and I’ll also swim Grand Challenge and Swim Meet of Champions. Once I get that cut I’ll worry about the rest.”