OLYMPIC REVIEW63OLYMPIC SOLIDARITYHow has the Olympic Solidarity programme helped you?The programme helps me a lot. I was having financialtroubles and unable to cover the expenditures ofcompeting in this sport at the level required. I wasunable to travel to the overseas camps that would helpme improve, but with the Solidarity programme I havebeen able to practise regardless of financial problemsand it has allowed me to focus completely on my sport. So it has effectively allowed you to continue chasing your dream?It's always been my dream to represent Jordan and tryto win medals for my country on the internationalstage. I really want to win Jordan's first Olympic medaland the Olympic Solidarity programme has allowed me to follow my dream.Is taekwondo a popular sport in Jordan?Over the past few years it has become the mostpopular individual sport here. I think this is because wehave been successful in winning medals internationally,which has meant more publicity and attracted moreyoung people into the sport.How hard is it to grow up as an ambitioustaekwondo player in Jordan? Taekwondo needs equipment and adequate facilitiesbut in Jordan there are a lot more opportunities than in most countries. It is hard though and in order tosucceed you have to be passionate about it. My mainpoint to get across is that we do this sport for love and not money.You competed in the first Youth Olympic Games inSingapore and also the Asian Games in Guangzhou.How did that come about?I was chosen to compete in these two events becauseof my achievements and they have given metremendous experience. I won silver at both; however,now I am focused firstly on trying to qualify for London2012 and then hopefully winning a medal. How do you maintain your motivation?I love taekwondo. My motivation is the Jordanian flagand trying to do my best to bring home success to the Jordanian people.How did you get started in taekwondo?I started through my school when my teacher advisedme to take up kickboxing. After one month I triedtaekwondo and took to it straight away. At the age ofnine I practised taekwondo intensively and won manylocal championships despite my age. After that I broke into the national team.What are the main attributes needed to be asuccessful taekwondo player?There are various qualities you need such as speed,but the most important thing are your reactionsbecause they allow you to expect the move of yourcompetitor and decide when you should attack.What is your training programme like?I train with both boys and girls and prefer to train withboys because they have the strategies and techniquethat I need to improve. Normally I train twice a day - inthe morning for technique and in the afternoon I go tothe gym. After training I sometimes do aerobics.Have you set yourself any targets for the Games in London in 2012?I hope to qualify for London first and then I will fight towin a gold medal - Jordan's first.Who was your Olympic hero or role model when you were growing up?Turkey's Servet Tazegül, a three-time world champion,has been my hero since I was young. He's the best. How do you communicate with fans, friends andfamily? Do you use social media?Fans have set up four groups on social networks forme and I also have my own account, which I updateregularly. I respond to fans' questions on the groups by checking them twice a day. I also share videos andpictures. I use micro-blogging as well. Social media is important and a modern way to allow family, friendsand fans to keep up to date with my progress; it is so easy to use.INTERVIEWDANA HAIDER TOURANAFTER SILVER MEDALS AT THE YOUTH OLYMPIC GAMES AND THE ASIAN GAMES,JORDAN'S RISING TAEKWONDO STAR IS HOPING HER OLYMPIC SOLIDARITYSCHOLARSHIP WILL LEAD TO FURTHER SUCCESS AT THE 2012 OLYMPIC GAMES

64OLYMPIC REVIEWIt was both inevitable and appropriate that theInternational Olympic Committee (IOC) shouldhave had its own publication. Before he becamethe main motivating force in the revival of theOlympic Games, Pierre de Coubertin had been ajournalist, beginning his professional career for LaReforme Socialein 1886. He continued writingarticles until 1937, the year of his death, by whichtime he had contributed almost 1,300 pieces to morethan 60 publications, printed both in his nativeFrance and abroad. In 1895, the year after the IOCwas founded, Coubertin received a press card ?OLYMPIC REVIEW HISTORYFORTHERECORDFOR OVER 100 YEARS, OLYMPIC REVIEWHAS HELPEDSPREAD THE VALUES OF OLYMPISM AROUND THEWORLD AND PROVIDED AN INSIGHT INTO THE INNERWORKINGS OF THE OLYMPIC MOVEMENT. HERE,JOHN GOODBODYLOOKS BACK AT THE PUBLICATION'S ORIGINS, FROM THE FIRST ISSUE IN1894 RIGHT UP TO THE PRESENT DAYBelow OlympicReview hasevolved fromhumblebeginnings in1894 to becomea modern, eye-catchingmagazine