Saturday, Aug 13, 2016

RIO DE JANIERO

Four years ago Sarah Attar made headlines when she became the first ever Saudi Arabian woman athlete to compete at the Olympics when she ran in the 800 metres.

On Friday, Kariman Abuljadayel added to that slice of history for the Middle Eastern country when, like Attar did at London, she competed in the 100m wearing a hijab, or a headscarf.

Abuljadayel, 22, may not have come anywhere close to winning her preliminary heat when she clocked 14.61 seconds, a time way off the current world record of 10.49 seconds set by American Florence Griffith-Joyner in 1988.

But she did win the support of Musliom women around the world.

Dressed in a full-body suit she ran her heart out and even managed a smile which revealed her extraordinary temperament and bravado.

Pierre de Coubertin founded the modern day Olympics with the message that the important thing is not to win, but to take part and Abuljadayel drove that point home with her praiseworthy effort that is certain to draw more Muslim women to sport in years to come.

Fans took to social media to honour her achievement which sparked more worldwide praise for Abuljadayel who was able to compete after the Saudi Olympic Committee lifted a ban on women competing in the Olympics in 2012 despite strong opposition from many quarters of society.

She is one of four women from the Middle Eastern country to compete in the Rio Games alongside Attar, judoka Joud Fahmy, and fencer Lubna Al-Omair, a fencer.

Three of the four women, including Attar, train in the United States using their student status, although Attar is no longer a student.

Attar was born and raised in California and trains at Pepperdine University in Malibu, where she is studying art.

She has dual nationality because of her Saudi father Amer and chose to represent the Middle Eastern country.

But Saudi officials insisted that all female competitors should be fully dressed ‘to preserve their dignity’ — which led to them wearing long-sleeved garments and hijabs to cover the hair.

Abuljadayel and Attar are among a growing number of Muslim athletes who have competed in hijabs at the Olympics, including Noor Hussain Al Malki of Qatar and Shinoona Salah Al Habsi of Oman.

Staff Report

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