Intro:

Moussa Camara, the 24-year-old Malian 800 metres runner, is about to participate for the first time in the Olympic Games, bu his preparations have been affected by political unrest.

Script:

2012 has been an eventful year for Moussa Camara.

Thanks to an Olympic grant, the 800m runner has trained for the last two years in Eldoret - home to some of Kenya's greatest athletes.

But while he was preparing for his debut Olympic appearance, a military coup struck his homeland of Mali in March.

Camara admits that it was a troubling time.

SOUNDBITE (French) Moussa Camara, Malian athlete
"Two months ago, as I was in Kenya, there was a coup in Mali. My training was difficult because when you see your country have such problems, it's bad. You worry for your family. But now everything is all right. Morale is ok."

Camara used his two years in Kenya wisely - he has competed in the last two World Indoor Championships and made the African Championship final in June.

Terrific achievements that made his father proud...

SOUNDBITE (French) Nouhoum Camara, Moussa Camara's father
"I'm happy. I want him to be always the first, I'd love it. I like that he goes to Olympics. What I have to tell him is : good luck!"

After such a turbulent year so far, who would bet against Camara reaching an Olympic 800m final in London on August 8th.