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Niyazi G. Atay is a freelance researcher and journalist in Beirut. His focus is political, social and cultural issues in the Middle East, particularly sports, art and food. Atay, who has completed his graduate and post-graduate studies at the Middle East Technical University's Department of International Relations, has been capturing with his camera everyday life in Beirut for more than two years.
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![Syrian swimmer Baean Jouma trains for the 2016 Rio Olympics with posters of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad hung in the background, in Damascus, Syria July 16, 2016. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki SEARCH "SYRIANS OLYMPICS" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "THE WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES - RTSKZVR](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2016/08/RTSKZVR.jpg/RTSKZVR.jpg?h=f7822858&itok=2oF8tzzM)
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Niyazi G. Atay