8/13/12

Obama celebrates Muslim women athletes’ participation in olympics

obama


KARACHI: US President Barack Obama on Friday applauds Muslim women Olympians at the annual Iftar dinner at White House.
He started praising U.S team and noting that women dominate U.S Olympic delegation. “Here in America, we are incredibly proud of Team USA," Obama said.
“Also, for the very first time in Olympic history, every team now includes a woman athlete. One of the reasons is that every team from a Muslim majority country now includes women as well,” Obama said.
“That is worth applauding,” he added further.
Female Olympians from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Brunei participated in the world’s largest sport competition for the first time.
Saudia Arabia’s Middle distance runner Sarah Attar and Saudi judoka Wojdan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shahrkhani made history by becoming the first female athletes to represent Saudi Arabia in Olympics track and field.
The first Saudi Arabian woman to compete in the Olympic Games, Shahrkhani, took the stage on Friday wearing a tight-fitting black cap after officials would not allow her to don a headscarf.
Attar, 19, who wore a white hood, long-sleeved green top and black leggings, described appearing in the Olympics as “an incredible experience.”
“It is a historic moment. I hope it will make a difference. It is a huge step forward. It's a really incredible experience,” said Attar, who was born and raised in the United States.