Istanbul, 20110507, A young Nigerian Footballer takes a nap during a cold afternoon inside of his apartment that he shares with 6 other immigrant Footballers in Istanbul, Turkey. Every year, scores of Africans are lured to Turkey in a growing human trafficking scam aimed at footballers. Spending their family’s savings on false agents, these men are trafficked to Istanbul with the belief that professional football teams await them. Abandoned, broke and with no valid sports visas, they struggle with poverty, racism and police brutality.

A group of African immigrants sit in the basement of an internet cafe watching the Chelsea vs Manchester Football game on May 8, 2011 in Istanbul, Turkey. Unable to watch the games above ground because the police crack down on them, the group of Africans each pay .50 Turkish Kurus to the cafe owner (25 cents) to watch the games.

Akeem, a Nigerian Immigrant Footballer moves a mattress from his friends old apartment that is located in an industrial building that he shared with other Africans in Istanbul, Turkey. The building houses numerous rooms that are rented to over 100 Africans who share the rooms sometimes with 6-8 other people.

Akeem and Jerry, two Nigerian immigrant Footballers, stand on the roof of the building that Jerry lives in with another 100 plus African immigrants in Istanbul, Turkey. Akeem and Jerry were lured to Turkey in a growing human trafficking scam aimed at footballers. Spending their family’s savings on false agents, these men are trafficked to Istanbul with the belief that professional football teams await them. Abandoned, broke and with no valid sports visas, they struggle with poverty, racism and police brutality.

Akeem, a young immigrant Footballer from Nigeria, puts on his shoes prior to an evening pick-up Football game at a rundown field at the outskirts of Istanbul, Turkey.

Akeem, a young immigrant Footballer from Nigeria, stretches his calves during an evening pick-up Football game at a rundown field at the outskirts of Istanbul, Turkey.

Two young Immigrant Nigerian Footballers prepare dinner for themselves and the four other footballers that they share their room with in Istanbul, Turkey.

An Immigrant Nigerian Footballer brushes his teeth with the light from a window inside of a room that he shares with 5 other Nigerians in Istanbul, Turkey.

our young immigrant Nigerian Footballers lay in bed inside their room on a cool spring day in Istanbul, Turkey. The Footballers, four Christians and Two Muslims, wake up every day at 6am to pray together.

Akeem, a young immigrant Footballer from Nigeria, stretches his calves during an evening pick-up Football game at a rundown field at the outskirts of Istanbul, Turkey.

"More than the development of the muscles of the body, there is the development of the muscles of the soul. It is not only task of the athletes but task of instructors, of trainers, and of all…" by FIDEL CASTRO, 10 July 1996 Losolmo gym is in Cuba's second city of Santiago. The boys here train barefoot, dressed in little more than rags. The equipment is decrepit. The boxing ring floor is unevenly patched together, the ropes are frayed and there is barely enough equipment to go round and it has produced four olympic champions. Each of these impoverished Cuban boys carries the dream of becoming a champion. I think it is not for the money, not even for the fame, but for these boys to be a boxer is the noble and heroic pinnacle of human aspiration. 11-04-22

Divers practice during Day Two of the 14th FINA World Championships at the Oriental Sports Center on July 17, 2011 in Shanghai, China.

Vadim Kaptur and Timofei Hordeichik of Belarus compete in the Men's 10m Platform Synchro preliminary round during Day Two of the 14th FINA World Championships at the Oriental Sports Center on July 17, 2011 in Shanghai, China.

Eric Shanteau of the United States competes in the second semifinal heat of the Men's 200m Breaststroke during Day Thirteen of the 14th FINA World Championships at the Oriental Sports Center on July 28, 2011 in Shanghai, China.

Tyler Clary of the United States competes in the Men's 200m Backstroke Final during Day Fourteen of the 14th FINA World Championships at the Oriental Sports Center on July 29, 2011 in Shanghai, China.

Michael Phelps of the United States, Takeshi Matsuda of Japan and Yin Chen of China compete in the Men's 200m Butterfly final during Day Twelve of the 14th FINA World Championships at the Oriental Sports Center on July 27, 2011 in Shanghai, China.

Italy compete in the Synchronized Swimming Team Tech preliminary round during Day Three of the 14th FINA World Championships at the Oriental Sports Center on July 18, 2011 in Shanghai, China.

Competitors warm up ahead of the Synchronized Swimming Team Tech Final during Day Four of the 14th FINA World Championships at the Oriental Sports Center on July 19, 2011 in Shanghai, China.

China compete in the Synchronized Swimming Team Tech preliminary round during Day Three of the 14th FINA World Championships at the Oriental Sports Center on July 18, 2011 in Shanghai, China.

Eloise Amberger and Sarah Bombell of Australia compete in the Synchronized Swimming Duets preliminary round during Day Four of the 14th FINA World Championships at the Oriental Sports Center on July 19, 2011 in Shanghai, China.

Akira Yanase of Japan battles with Samir Barac of Croatia in the Men's Water Polo first preliminary round match between Japan and Croatia during Day Seven of the 14th FINA World Championships at the Oriental Sports Center on July 22, 2011 in Shanghai, China.

Maurizio Felugo of Italy celebrates with Pietro Figlioli after winning the gold medal in the Men's Water Polo gold medal match between Serbia and Italy during Day Fifteen of the 14th FINA World Championships at the Oriental Sports Center on July 30, 2011 in Shanghai, China.