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Jumps and flips offer hope - 29th April 2022

Hope is finding a purpose in the bomb-damaged Syrian town of Ariha. These friends are 'traceurs', they're practising parkour among the ruined buildings. Parkour requires mental focus and builds physical strength, which helps to distract from many other challenges.

Like many, the team's leader, Ahmed al-Sawas, was forced here from Aleppo.

Ahmed al-Sawas: "I put this team together two and a half years ago. We train in destroyed areas, areas where there has been strikes. Members of the team got in touch with me via social media. We put together a team and started training on buildings because we haven't got dedicated spaces for parkour in Syria."

Parkour develops athletic skills. It started life in the suburbs of 1990s Paris and focuses on the art of movement. It allows traceurs to move freely across urban environments.

Young traceur Hadi al-Sawas was born at the start of the civil war, 11 years ago. He's learnt parkour against the backdrop of war and Ariha's ruins.

Hadi al-Sawas: "I've been practising this sport for six years, along with my brother. We go to destroyed areas and jump from building to building. We do parkour in these destroyed areas. Everything here is destroyed. We do soft moves."

The Ariha traceurs team say that parkour gives them a sense of renewal. They're creating something out of nothing. It also provides hope for the future.

Parkour's spread worldwide since its birth 30 years ago, and the first World Championships is in October. The Tokyo competition isn't a reality for these traceurs. However, it's encouraged Mohammed Akash to set his own goal.

Mohammed Akash: "It's got adventure, and I love adventure. Yes, it can be dangerous and it comes with pain and injury, but thankfully I've reached a good level now. My dream is to be the best at parkour in Syria."