As the London Olympic Games approach, elite athletes are traveling to London from across the world.

Zamzam Mohamed Farah and Mohamed Hassan Mohamed Tayow are the only two athletes representing Somalia. They departed on Tuesday, with strong determination and support of their people.

A rapturous send-off ceremony was held at the airport in Mogadishu, the country's capital, to give best wishes to the two runners.

The hundreds of well-wishers included family members, coaches and fellow athletes, as well as senior governmental officials.

The Somali national anthem was played at the celebration. Zamzam Farah and Mohamed Tayow became visibly emotional at the support given to them.

Mohamed Tayow is going to compete in the men's 1,500-meter race. He hopes to bring victory back to the country.

SOUNDBITE: MOHAMED TAYOW, SOMALI ATHLETE
"I am very very happy to be representing my people, country and flag at the London 2012 Games. This year people are united in supporting us and Somalis everywhere expect of us victory. The government, the sports officials, the people of Somalia and the media have given us total support."

Farah will run in the women's 400-meter race. She promised to do her best in London.

SOUNDBITE: ZAMZAM FARAH, SOMALI ATHLETE
"I am very happy because since yesterday we have been we have met the highest government officials including the Prime Minister, the major of Mogadishu and the minister of sport as well as parliamentarians and the honorable public and the media. I say to the Somali people: thank you very much for your support to us and we will shoulder our responsibly."

Somalia, a Horn of Africa nation, has been ravaged by a nearly uninterrupted civil war for the past two decades. The two athletes have overcome unimaginable obstacles to represent their country at the London Olympics, which will kick off on July 27th.