The Lebanese skier Samer Tawk, on Jan. 19, 2026, on the slopes of the Cedars resort in Lebanon. (Credit: Téa Ziadé/L'Orient-Le Jour)
As Samer Tawk competes on Feb. 13, 2026, we invite you to revisit this article, originally published on Jan. 22, 2026. "At first, I thought about the Paralympics, to be honest. But I'm a stubborn person, so I told myself: Why not aim for the Olympics?" When Samer Tawk straps on his skis at the base of the Cedars resort, one of the few cross-country ski trails in the Lebanese mountains, the pain still hasn't left him.Nearly seven years after the accident that almost ended his career, on April 26, 2019, the aftereffects of multiple fractures to his arms and legs that day still make him wince: "With the cold, I can't feel my left leg much anymore, I can't put too much pressure on my hand, or fully bend my elbow. My body tends to compensate by using other muscles, which can lead to new injuries. That's why...
As Samer Tawk competes on Feb. 13, 2026, we invite you to revisit this article, originally published on Jan. 22, 2026. "At first, I thought about the Paralympics, to be honest. But I'm a stubborn person, so I told myself: Why not aim for the Olympics?" When Samer Tawk straps on his skis at the base of the Cedars resort, one of the few cross-country ski trails in the Lebanese mountains, the pain still hasn't left him.Nearly seven years after the accident that almost ended his career, on April 26, 2019, the aftereffects of multiple fractures to his arms and legs that day still make him wince: "With the cold, I can't feel my left leg much anymore, I can't put too much pressure on my hand, or fully bend my elbow. My body tends to compensate by using other muscles, which can lead to new injuries. That's...
I loved reading this piece and was rooting for him here in Finland!
13 February 2026 14:48