EPISODE · Aug 12, 2024 · 16 MIN
The Olympic defectors
from Amazing Sport Stories · host BBC World Service
Iraqi weightlifter Raed Ahmed was proud to carry his country's flag at the opening ceremony for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. But the honour came with a strict instruction: he was not to look at the American President, Bill Clinton. Iraq's Olympic Committee was led by Saddam Hussein's son, Uday, a man with a reputation for brutality.But Raed had already begun to think of escape. And that night, with a single glance, he made up his mind. This is the story of how he took the most dangerous decision of his life, and what happened next.Audio scenes have been re-created. Let us know what you think #AmazingSportStories
What this episode covers
Iraqi weightlifter Raed Ahmed was proud to carry his country's flag at the opening ceremony for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. But the honour came with a strict instruction: he was not to look at the American President, Bill Clinton. Iraq's Olympic Committee was led by Saddam Hussein's son, Uday, a man with a reputation for brutality.But Raed had already begun to think of escape. And that night, with a single glance, he made up his mind. This is the story of how he took the most dangerous decision of his life, and what happened next.Audio scenes have been re-created. Let us know what you think #AmazingSportStories
NOW PLAYING
The Olympic defectors
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
Apr 21, 2026 ·13m
Apr 19, 2026 ·16m
Apr 17, 2026 ·13m
Apr 13, 2026 ·11m
Apr 11, 2026 ·16m