Top 10 Reasons to Get Excited for the Olympics: #6 Team Somalia

In a far off place that has been ravaged by war, terrorism, and famine, Somalia endures on the most brutal forms of living conditions, yet they still make an effort to represent their country at the Olympic Games. In many countries around the world, the training facilities are some of the most well-defined and technologically advanced.

The Somali Olympic Training life is documented in this article from Daily Times:

Facilities are a far cry from the first class treatment that characterises life for star competitors from other nations. Years of war left training facilities in ruins. “We are suffering from hardships, constant war, lack of finance and hampered by poor facilities,” said Somali Coach Abikar. In the team’s base, a former primary school abandoned during fighting between rival militia forces in the capital Mogadishu. “We have no personal doctors and in case the athletes get sick, they have to seek general treatment in Mogadishu,” he added. The athletes, aged between 18 and 20, have spent the last six months in camp, but life has been far from easy.

This year Somalia will have two athletes to represent the African Horn nation, both competing in Athletics/Track Running.

Mohamed Hassan Mohamed – 1500 m

Zamzam Mohamed Farah – 400m

Zamzam Farah is only 18 years old, and represents the female athletes of Somalia.

“Somalia has had no real government for the last 20 years, but determination, good fortune and hope will take us close to victory,” she said.

Training for the Somali women has not been easy. DT also reports that they constantly do their running in long pants as well as head and body coverings.

Although, not on the official list, there is speculation that Somalia might send 4 athletes (2 men /2 women) instead of just two. Either way, send some strong support for Mohamed Hassan Mohamed and Zamzam Mohamed Farah.

Questions for You:

Why doesn’t Somalia have a sailing team?

There are so many stories of Somalia and Pirates, would it not make one of the best Sports Stories ever if the son of a pirate won the Olympic Gold for Sailing and ended terrorism and crime? That was the subject of a novel I was going to write, but then, I realized I don’t know anything about what it feels like to live in Somalia, have a pirate for a dad, or boats.

"Anchors" - AM Higgins

Here's a nice breezy, almost sensual song from AM Higgins (the solo project of musician Annie Toth) to start your Tuesday off right. Her debut album "Hymning" will be out November 5th on Victorialand Records. The album was mixed by Casey Foubert, a frequent collaborator of Sufjan Stevens. The album "captures the first years of moving from an American city to rural France." Sounds like "Hymning" will be a welcome escape from the world we live in right now, especially considering that Annie Toth counts poets Mary Oliver and Thomas Merton as influences.

"Happy New Year"- Let's Eat Grandma

There's no way to start the New Year like some extremely upbeat music about the New Year! That's where this new synthpop-heavy single from the British duo Let's Eat Grandma comes into play. It's a delightful song, and it helps increase any excitement about their third album, "Two Ribbons," which will be out this April. I personally am looking forward to hearing more from Let's Eat Grandma, who deserve way more attention than they currently get. Hopefully, 2022 will be a big year for them. Here's one of their older tracks I quite like:

You Need to Hear This: Concrete Castles

I first heard of First to Eleven a few years ago thanks to the powers of social media. They are a talented young band straight out of my hometown (Erie, PA). Since I've first heard of them, First To Eleven - which primarily were a social media-based cover band - has revealed an original music incarnation, Concrete Castles. No matter if they're covering songs or releasing their own music, one thing is evident: Concrete Castles is MASSIVELY talented. Anchored by Audra Miller's powerhouse vocals that are vaguely reminiscent of Hayley Williams, Concrete Castles demand your attention. Although they can fall in that sort of amorphous "indie pop" umbrella, I don't think their sound would be amiss on mainstream radio - top 40 or alternative. "Wish I Missed U" - their debut album - came out earlier this September, and it's an enjoyable, invigorating listen that would probably make those who were raised on emo or fans of CHVRCHES feel at home. Hell, Anth

The Useless Critic 2.0

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