Sporting chance for Palestinian Olympians
Maher Abu Rmelleh says competing at the Olympics is "a dream come true"
After struggling to pursue sport for years because of the impact of the conflict with Israel, Palestinians now have a rare chance to celebrate success.
Maher Abu Rmelleh, a judoist, is the first ever Palestinian sportsman to qualify on points to participate in the Olympic Games.
Mr Abu Rmelleh, who found out only weeks ago that he will be travelling to London this summer, will join four other Palestinian "solidarity" athletes who have been invited by the International Olympic Committee to compete despite not having the necessary qualifying points.
In the absence of sports funding or any official sporting infrastructure, Mr Abu Rmelleh works full-time selling scarves in his shop in Jerusalem's Old City.
He trains early in the morning and after work.
"It's a dream come true" he says, modestly.
"I'm so happy to be representing Palestine. And it's great that I'm from Jerusalem, the capital," referring to the contested city, whose eastern half is sought by the Palestinians as the capital of a future state.
'Transcending politics'
Sport is a matter of national pride the world over, but for Palestinians it carries extra symbolism.
Maher Abu Rmelleh earned his qualifying points in Japan last year by defeating the judo champion of Hong Kong.
His achievements have defied the odds, but his is not a totally isolated success story
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