Parkour in Syria's city ruins

This Syrian town was damaged in the war. In the broken streets of Ariha, a group of friends are practising parkour. The sport gives participants, who are called 'traceurs', a mental focus. It also develops physical strength.

Parkour keeps traceurs, like team leader Ahmed al-Sawas, motivated.

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 teaches people how to use a city's structures to move around. It began on the edge of Paris in the 1990s. It sees movement as an artform.

11 year old Hadi al-Sawas has only ever known war in Syria. He's done parkour in the destroyed city for six years.

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."

Parkour helps the team to feel reborn. They can make something good out of the broken buildings. Some also dream about the future.

Parkour has come a long way from its beginnings in 1990s Paris. In October, the first World Championships take place in Tokyo, Japan. They might not travel there, but it gives Mohammed Akash and other traceurs hope.

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." Weniger anzeigen