(MY OLYMPIC MOMENT)
In the summer of 2004,
in Athens, the land of the Olympics.
After 16 years,
the Iraqis now make it to the Olympics.
We were so proud of them.
But at the same time, we were very sad,
because the country was going through hard times.
Unfortunately, the war was declared
and what happened happened.
Iraq was destroyed.
I am Kadim Al-Sahir and this is My Olympic Moment.
2004, the Olympics.
After 16 years, the Iraqis now make it to the Olympics.
We are contemplating that we are among
the great team of the world.
Iraqis are known for their capacity, their culture,
their wisdom, and their patience.
This is the beautiful face of Iraq.
We were trying everything we could
to present this fact to the world -
that this is Iraq,
so as not to see that Iraq is entirely war.
No, Iraq is culture, civilisation,
and all the beauty of the world's humanity.
As I recall, it had been a year
since we recorded We Want Peace, me and Lenny Kravitz,
which we did for the Olympics
in a collection of songs by several artists.
The song was a story, as I see it a nice story,
but at the same time, it was painful.
We were wanting to halt the war on Iraq.
We were wanting to halt.
It was a pointed message. "We Want Peace."
Not just music for people to dance to, to move to.
No, I sing to move the spirit from within.
At the 2004 Olympics,
this is a great moment
when we were proud of the Iraqi team.
The Iraqi team, in the face
of one of the strongest teams in the world,
triumphs over Portugal.
I believe it was at this moment that Iraqis,
all of them together, were playing on the pitch.
Millions present, even those in Baghdad, all over Iraq,
were there playing with the team.
There were prayers, there was excitement.
Everyone optimistic. Everyone watching.
The next match was versus Costa Rica, 2-0,
for which there was unexpected celebration,
but the performance of the Iraqi team
was truly spectacular.
Next was Australia, who we beat 1-0.
A truly spectacular goal, of course.
The celebration was beautiful, great.
Paraguay was one of the great teams, very strong.
We lost to them, but we were still proud.
Even though it was a 3-1 loss,
it was spectacular on the pitch.
We did not, unfortunately take the bronze medal,
but it was enough that they were able to make it
to stand among the best teams in the final four.
This is my life,
and this is my beautiful moment with the Olympics.