A couple of years ago, Soltani attended an artistic swimming training camp in Spain to enhance her skills and advance in her sporting career. During her stay, she realised that returning to Iran, her home country, was not a viable option due to personal safety concerns. Faced with this situation, she decided to seek asylum in Austria.

In her desperation to relocate, Soltani turned to Uwe Schlokat, the person she had met during a visit from him to Iran five years earlier. Schlokat was the only acquaintance the athlete had in Europe and became a crucial support, as he helped her find a safe place in Austria, where she eventually secured the residency that allowed her to start a new life.

Since then, Soltani has integrated into Austrian culture, found friends, and a supportive environment that has allowed her to grow both personally and professionally. "Everything that happens to you has two sides, and it depends on how you see things," reflects the canoeist. "You can see them as an opportunity to improve or as something that destroys you."

Despite not having seen her family for several years and facing an uncertain future, Soltani maintains a positive and resilient attitude. "The greatest achievement of my life is that I always try to find a solution to move forward," she comments. This mindset has led her to be part of the Refugee Team, composed of 36 athletes who not only compete for individual glory but also represent the more than 100 million people displaced around the world.

Soltani will compete in the 500-metre sprint kayak event on 7 August, a discipline in which she has already demonstrated her talent, having won the silver medal at the Asian Under-23 Championships in 2018. Although she began in this sport later than usual, her experience as a champion in artistic swimming and later as a silver medallist in the Asian Canoeing Championships gave her the confidence to tackle the challenge of becoming an Olympic canoeist.

Looking towards the future, Soltani has her sights set on the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, where she aims to achieve her dream of winning a gold medal. However, it remains unclear whether she will compete for Austria, as despite being the national champion, she has not yet received citizenship in that country.

"I know I am special, and I knew that since I was a child, because I always liked to do big things," Soltani asserts with confidence. "I am excited to see what I will do in the future. I know I want to be world-famous." Saman Soltani's story is a testament to perseverance, and her journey from Iran to the Olympic stage is an example for all those facing adversity.