Born in Syria, Al Hussein fled the civil war in his homeland, first seeking refuge in Turkey before settling in Greece in 2014. Before escaping his country, the future Paralympian was injured in the conflict, losing his right foot and the joint in his left foot in 2012.

Nearly 250,000 people have died and around a million have been injured since the conflict began in 2011. The UN has verified the deaths of 7,000 children in Syria, although the actual number could be as high as 20,000, according to UN reports.

"I came to give everyone a message, a message of hope," Al Hussein said after finishing his race at the Paris Paralympics.

Like 6.5 million other Syrians, he has become a refugee because of the unresolved humanitarian catastrophe that has also displaced 6.1 million people within the Arab country of 20 million.

"Everyone, wherever we are in the world, is going through a difficult time. Everyone can achieve their destiny," said Al Hussein.

"With serious work, with hard work, everyone can achieve their goal. Not just athletes. Anyone can achieve their goal."

Al Hussein overcame the challenges of war, injury and displacement to compete in Para swimming at Rio 2016 and then at Tokyo 2020 three years ago.

Now in his third Paralympic Games, the 35-year-old competed in the triathlon and finished sixth in the men's PTS3 race, the category for athletes with significant impairments.

"I am very happy. It was a very good result for me. My goal was to be in the top six," said Al Hussein after clocking 1hr 12min 34sec at Paris 2024.

"I want to thank the International Paralympic Committee for giving me this opportunity and I want to thank the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for their belief in me”, he said.