Western Saharas Champion Athlete
b'
In the wind-swept desert of south-west Algeria, thousands of athletes prepare to run a marathon through the forgotten land of Western Sahara. \\nThe runners will pass through six refugee camps; home to over 200,000 indigenous Saharawi people living under Moroccan occupation. \\nNicola Kelly travels to the remote outpost of Tindouf to meet champion runner Salah Ameidan.
Identified at a young age as a talented cross-country athlete, Salah was forced to run under the Moroccan flag. At the end of a crucial race, victorious, he waved the Saharawi flag \\u2013 illegal in Morocco \\u2013 and was immediately exiled from the country.
Nicola follows Salah as he returns home to be reunited with his family and friends, many of whom he hasn\\u2019t seen since he left several years ago. \\nThrough him, she explores the complexities of living under occupation and in exile. She meets landmine victims, youth leaders and members of the Saharawi independence movement, the POLISARIO and asks how running can help its people gain a sense of freedom.
Reporter: Nicola Kelly
**Podcast has been updated**
'