Disc is the dream of a Libyan Olympic hopeful

Under the watchful eye of her father, Libyan Retaj al-Sayeh practised discus throws near the edge of a dilapidated running track at Tripoli's Sports City.

Despite injury, a deeply patriarchal society uninterested in women's sport and disruption from Libya's chronic insecurity, she has set her sights on this summer's Olympic Games in Paris.

The 23-year-old has won numerous national and continental medals from a young age and, although she is yet to reach the standards required to qualify for the Olympics, she remains unbowed.

"I believe in my own abilities... which will take me to the top," she said confidently as she warmed up.

Libya has been racked by fratricidal violence since the 2011 revolution that toppled Muammar Gaddafi, while there is little funding for, or interest in, women's sport.

"I challenge myself... despite the adversities and difficulties in Libya, but above all the lack of resources," she added.

Rain or shine, she has been training relentlessly in an abandoned area of the Sports City strewn with debris, under the proud gaze of her father, who coaches her.