A Somalian woman who ran an inspired 200 metres at the Beijing Olympics has reportedly drowned on a migrant boat heading to Europe, according to Italian reports.
Samia Yusuf Omar was on a boat which sunk crossing the Meditarrean from Libya to Italy in April, Corriere Della Sera reported.
The fate of Samia, who finished the 200m at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 despite no formal training, was revealed in a talk by former Somali Olympic athlete Abdi Bile.
Samia finished last in her heat in Beijing - eight seconds behind her closest rival - however her determined run drew applause and admiration from the crowd.
Abdi described Samia as a "very good athlete - a beautiful girl".
"We are delighted for Mo, he is our pride," Abdi said, referring to the Somali-born runner Mo Farrar, who won gold for Great Britain in London.
"But do not forget Samia."
The head of Somalia's National Olympic Committee confirmed to the BBC that Samia had died, but did not reveal how.
After the games Samia faded from the public view, however she was reportedly hoping to train in Europe with the aim of competing at this year's London Olympics.
According to al Jazeera, Samia trained for the Beijing Games in the "bombed-out shell" of Mogadishu's Coni Stadium, however harassment and threats of violence from militia groups often prevented her from training.