“God willing, we’re going to the Olympics in Beijing.”
With those words, a small team of athletes in Palestine prepare to compete at an event they aren’t sure they will get to: the 2008 summer Olympic Games.
Ghadir dreams that, at last, someone will buy her running shoes. Nader trains while hoping that a missile doesn’t land on him. Zakia hasn’t got a permit from the military authorities to get to the swimming pool.
They leave Jericho in July 2008, hoping to take part in the Games. Inshallah, God willing – because their journey is overcome with obstacles as they attempt to represent a country that not everyone recognises and that doesn’t have the means to support its athletes.
Getting to Beijing is already a victory. But hit by culture shock, the team face another set of battles – with surprising humour and resolve.
“Inshallah Beijing” has all the makings of a tragedy, but is anything but tragic. It is a hopeful and inspiring account of athletes overcoming social obstacles and confronting personal demons.