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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThe last place that meant more than any medal.
She was coming last, 150 metres from the finish line and almost 44 seconds behind the winner.
But the crowd's focus was set on Sarah Attar in the women's 800m heat, who was living out a historic moment that had nothing to do with gold, silver or bronze.
"It is the hugest honour to be here to represent the women of Saudi Arabia. It is an historic moment. I hope it will make a difference. It is a huge step forward. It's a really incredible experience."
As US runner Alice Schmidt told AP: "She carried the weight of Saudi Arabia's women on her shoulders."
http://www.smh.com.au/olympics/athletics-london-2012/the-last-place-that-meant-more-than-any-medal-20120809-23vb8.html
Of course, it was a show only - coming in 44 secs. behind the winner is testimony to the fact that she wouldn't have been able to train properly or compete in her home country. But it is one tiny, baby step towards emancipation for Saudi Arabian women.
It makes me want to cry, that in such a wealthy country, women are still leading lives that western women left behind centuries ago. We are so blessed in so many ways that we take for granted.
We can only pray for the day when they are able to compete on equal ground.
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,297 posts)Esp. for those of us who aren't watching the Olympics.
It is an historic moment. And now the path is open for future athletes. The tide cannot be turned, or held back.
K&R
bhikkhu
(10,708 posts)I hope she becomes a role model in the middle east!
Whatever people might think about sports, it has several times been a road to feminism and equality in the past.
ejbr
(5,852 posts)and I would have come in 44 minutes behind the winner....just sayin'.
bluedigger
(17,077 posts)A "relatively healthy" person of either sex would literally have to crawl to come in 44 minutes behind - honestly.
B Calm
(28,762 posts)bluedigger
(17,077 posts)B Calm
(28,762 posts)ejbr
(5,852 posts)bluedigger
(17,077 posts)Four minutes I would have let go.
Atypical Liberal
(5,412 posts)I saw this on Reddit, where it was said that the only reason Saudi Arabia allowed this woman to compete is because their men could not compete if they did not bring a woman to also compete.
So she was a token, and that stinks.
bluedigger
(17,077 posts)It is very controversial, but I still salute the athletes who chose to compete - they are very brave women.
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,297 posts)The token female is where it starts, and then we build on that.
You'll see!
It's just the first (and very important) step.
Sick of the GOP
(65 posts)No country that treats women like furniture should be allowed IMO.
ChazII
(6,198 posts)to DU, Sick of the GOP.
I can understand your view, however I do agree with the others that this is an important first step for womenn.
Sick of the GOP
(65 posts)And yeah it is a big step for Saudi women, but it's just stunning to me that I'm hearing about this in 2012.
Egalitarian Thug
(12,448 posts)ban Saudi Arabia if they didn't field any women competitors.
Le Taz Hot
(22,271 posts)And the crowd stood up and cheered loudly for her.
And if we allow the talibornagain in this country to get any more of a foothold, I've no doubt they'd be treating women the same way.
JamesJ
(35 posts)Let's hope someone doesn't "honor" kill her as soon as she gets off the plane.
jerseyjack
(1,361 posts)Robertson, Family Research Council, Liberty U, Oral Roberts U, Christian Coalition... you get the idea.
Zax2me
(2,515 posts)okay....(?)