Standing Ovation for a Hijab Wearing Saudi Woman Olympic Athlete – photo by Getty
As the Olympics are about celebrating a country’s culture and tradition, a standing ovation for a hijab wearing Saudi woman Olympic athlete after she participated in the 800m competition.
According to the Daily Mail, Sarah Attar, who is the first female track athlete to compete for Saudi Arabia in the Olympics, was cheered every step of the way in her 800m heat. While she came in 45 seconds in behind the winner, her participation was a historical moment for Saudi Arabia and the Olympics.
While it was obvious from the start that Attar was not going to place in the race, she was given a standing ovation at the end of her run. It took Attar two minutes 44.95 seconds to finish the race, while the winner, Kenya’s Janeth Jepkosgei Busienei, had an impressive time of two minutes 01.04 seconds.
What made Attar stand out from the rest of the participants was not only her hijab, but her entire racing attire. Attar proudly wore a long-sleeved green training top, long jogging bottoms and a white hijab.
Attar did not care so much about her performance as much as she embraced the historical moment she brought to her country and to the London 2012 Olympics: “It is such an honour to be representing Saudi Arabia. Hopefully this can make such a huge difference. It was such a unique opportunity, they invited me and welcomed me and to make that first step for women is just the most amazing feeling ever.”
Standing Ovation for a Hijab Wearing Saudi Woman Olympic Athlete.
