Sarah Attar, 19, Saudi Arabia
800m
There were huge cheers for Sarah Attar, Saudi Arabia’s first woman to compete in Olympic athletics, as she ran her 800m heat. That she finished last is the least important part of her run.
This is the first year Saudi Arabia has sent women to compete in the Olympics and Sarah has said she hopes it will be a turning point for sportswomen from the country. The daughter of an American mum and Saudi dad, Sarah grew
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more Sarah Attar, 19, Saudi Arabia
800m
There were huge cheers for Sarah Attar, Saudi Arabia’s first woman to compete in Olympic athletics, as she ran her 800m heat. That she finished last is the least important part of her run. This is the first year Saudi Arabia has sent women to compete in the Olympics and Sarah has said she hopes it will be a turning point for sportswomen from the country. The daughter of an American mum and Saudi dad, Sarah grew up in the US and attends university in California.
Though she and the only other Saudi woman competing, a judo player, were forced to walk behind their male team mates at the opening ceremony, Sarah received a standing ovation when she finished her race, wearing a headscarf, leggings and a long sleeve top, more than half a minute behind her nearest competitor.
Let’s hope it really does open the door for Saudi Arabian women in future Games. less
