VOICED : Rio 2016: Los Angeles lifeguard swims for Syria

Azad, a 28-year-old swimmer from Los Angeles, is set to compete in the 2016 Rio Olympics for Team Syria. Despite being a US citizen, he aims to inspire the Syrian people amid ongoing civil unrest. To avoid political affiliations, Azad personalizes his uniform without national flags. Financially unsupported for travel and housing, he works as a lifeguard to fund his Olympic journey, balancing a demanding job with high-level training.

What is Azad's motivation for swimming for Syria?

What challenges does Azad face while working as a lifeguard?