Saudi Sprinter Kariman Abuljadayel made history as the first woman ever to compete in the 100m dash in the Olympics at Rio, and she did it covered from head-to-toe.
The sprinter did not qualify for the final event, but her participation in the 100m dash – like Sarah Attar’s participation in the 800m race in London in 2012 – may inspire a new generation of Saudi athletes.
The news started making rounds on social media as Saudis in particular celebrated Abuljadayel’s participation in the games.
Attar at the Olympic Games.
Abuljadayel is one of four Saudi female athletes to participate in the Rio Olympic games this year after two Saudis – Sarah Attar and Wodjan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shahrkhani – competed in London.
Attar has returned to Rio, but this time as a marathon runner, which was completed on Sunday. The American-born track and field athlete who represented Saudi Arabia finished the 26.2 mile race in 162nd place – second to last.
Attar, who graduated from Pepperdine university, took on a new challenge by competing in the marathon and is hoping to inspire other young female athletes to take up sports.
The Saudi government is using its Vision 2030 economic plan to move the Kingdom beyond oil to also modernize its society. Part of that plan is to make Saudis healthier, live longer, and be more active. Those changes should provide opportunities for younger Saudis to train and compete in a wider range of sports and to make healthy lifestyles more common in Saudi Arabia.
