Gaza Paralympians confident of success in London

Qualifying distance

Zaqout attained the qualifying distance for London in Doha where he won his category in the shot put with 10.77 meters, soon after setting an Asian record of 11.34.

Father-of-nine Zaqout, 47, was injured when he fell while working on a building site in Israel. He said his disability had made him determined to strive for sporting success.

Palestinian Paralympic athlete Khamis Zaqout (L) exercises with fellow athletes during a training session at Palestine Stadium in Gaza City, May 28, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

"I am physically and mentally ready for this battle and to represent Palestine on the international stage," he said.

Zaqout trains in a park in Gaza City, one of very few green areas in the cramped coastal enclave on the eastern Mediterranean that has borders with Israel and Egypt.

Shataly said athletes in Hamas-run Gaza received no support from official Palestinian organizations.

Zaqout wears out-moded, shabby clothes that are a far cry from the modern, high-tech attire that is standard for elite athletes.

In order to get maximum purchase, he ties his leg to his wheelchair and sways his body three times before propelling the shot and letting out a powerful grunt. His wheelchair is old but he hopes to have a new one before the Games.

"We face many challenges... We must train outside the Gaza Strip and we desperately need equipment. Nobody would ever believe that a champion could arrive in London without the appropriate clothing, or even a discus," Zaqout said.

Palestinian Paralympic athlete Khamis Zaqout shows his medals outside his house in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, May 29, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]