In the lead-up to the Games, her coach, relayed by the media, commented that Nassar faced severe difficulties in training, due to her lack of access to a swimming pool.

[1] Nassar told the media that she was receiving no support from the Palestinian authorities, that she was able to swim once a month "at best", and that she feared a disastrous performance in Beijing.

[3][4] The Israeli authorities subsequently granted her authorisation to swim in a pool in Jerusalem.

[5] Nassar won her heat in the 50 metre freestyle event, but her time of 31.97 was not sufficient for her to advance to the next round.

[6] Nassar lives in Bethlehem and, as of 2008, was studying dentistry at the Arab American University in Jenin.