Monday, 26 July, 2021 - 05:15
Alaa Maso from the Refugee Olympic Team — who is competing in the men’s swimming — was photographed embracing his brother Mohamad Maso, who is competing in the triathlon. (Screenshot)
London – Ibrahim Hamidi
A photo of two Syrian brothers, competing for different teams at the Olympics, hugging each other in Tokyo went viral on social media earlier this week.
Mohamad Maso is representing war-torn Syria in the triathlon event, while his younger brother Alaa will swim for the Olympic refugee team, reflecting the massive divides that grip their country.
Some media and internet users wrongly believed that the photo of the brothers’ embrace showed them meeting after years of separation due to the conflict.