East Timorese marathon runner Aguida Amaral spends her days pounding the dusty streets of the world’s newest nation, training hard for the Athens Olympics, where the tiny country’s flag will fly for the first time.
”The people of East Timor are behind me with their prayers,” the 32-year-old said after a recent training session. ”I believe I am not alone now.”
Amaral is one of two East Timorese marathon runners preparing to leave for Athens. They may be joined by a weightlifter and a boxer, who are waiting to see if their wild-card applications are approved, sports officials in East Timor say.
Amaral and three of her countrymen competed in the 2000 Sydney games. East Timor then was still under United Nations administration after Indonesian troops and militiamen went on a deadly rampage following its vote in 1999 for independence from 24 years of Jakarta rule.
At Sydney the East Timorese contingent competed in white uniforms under the Olympic flag.
Amaral came in 43rd with a time of three hours and 10 minutes — a performance that drew thunderous applause from spectators and admiration from around the world.
The former Portuguese colony gained full independence two years ago, but the island nation remains desperately poor and burned buildings dot the capital, Dili, and other towns. State funding for sports is limited.
While none of this year’s entrants are likely to be among the medallists, competing has a special meaning this time around, says Mateus da Crus de Carvalho, head of the East Timor contingent.
”This is the first time we will compete under our flag,” he said. ”It is a moment of huge pride for the people of East Timor.”
Amaral, who is married with four children, competed for Indonesia at regional sports meets like the Asian Games when East Timor was still under Jakarta’s control.
She and her fellow 2004 Olympic hopeful, male athlete Xavier do Rego, begin training shortly after dawn each morning to avoid the fierce equatorial heat.
Sometimes dodging goats and horses, the pair jog on the massive Taci-Tolu sports field west of Dili, where the country proclaimed its independence in 2002 at a party attended by world leaders.
They run between 15km and 25km a day.
”I am happy right now because the people of East Timor have trusted me to represent this country in the biggest sport event in the world,” Amaral said. ”I will try my best to represent this country as I did during the Indonesian occupation.” — Sapa-AP