The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia started sending female athlete to the Olympics in 2012. Sarah Attar and Wojdan Shaherkani were the first two Saudi citizens to compete at London 2012. Wojdan competed in Judo while Sarah, the 800 meters. Saudi doubled the number of female participants to four at Rio 2016. Wojdan does not compete in 2016, but Sarah and three new faces represent the ladies of the Saudi.

Sarah Attar, MARATHON athletics

Saudi Arabia’s Sarah Attar competes in the women’s 800m heats at the athletics event of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 8, 2012 in London. AFP PHOTO / FRANCK FIFE (Photo credit should read FRANCK FIFE/AFP/GettyImages)

Sarah, 24 made her first appearance at the Olympic London 2012 where she competed for 800 meters without meeting Olympic time. At Rio 2016, she will compete for the marathon despite 26 minutes slower than qualifying Olympic time. Her personal best time was 3:11:27 at the Chicago Marathon in 2015. She holds dual citizenship, the United States of America and Saudi Arabia.

Kariman Abuljadayel, 100 m athletics

Kariman, 22 is ranked 23 at Rio 2016 for the 100 meters and is the first Saudi woman to compete in the 100 meters. She clocked 14.61s at Rio 2016.

KARIMAN ABULJADAYEL at the Qualifying Heats 100 meters Rio 2016

Lubna Al-Omair, Fencing

Being the first is not always easy. Lubna’s match lasted 1 minute and 44 seconds. May she has more matches in the future, so that she could sharpen competitive skills.

Lubna – the exquisite fencer

Joud Fahmy, Judo (withdraw due to injury)

Joud, 26, did not compete due to injuries. She was determined to represent her country at the Olympics and started to train for the Rio 2016 at Santa Monica when she was 22 in 2012.

Joud Fahmy Judo

These amazing ladies find different ways to train for the Olympics. Their determination to compete and represent their country is evident despite challenges faced at many fronts.

Source & Picture credits:

• Wikipedia
• http://i.huffpost.com/gen/2549892/images/o-SARAH-ATTAR-facebook.jpg
• http://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/olympics/2016/08/12/105580636-Kariman-Abuljadayel-SPORT-xlarge_trans++rbV8E1vvGHaBNJhAQrBCaeU-5NBdMS2kWAh6ufw2hAE.jpg
• http://sports.yahoo.com/news/column-saudi-butterfly-crushed-olympic-debut-rio-062557043–spt.html
• http://saudigazette.com.sa/sports/rio-olympics-2016/saudi-fencer-in-rio/
• http://smdp.com/olympic-athletes-with-santa-monica-ties-convene-in-rio-for-2016-games/156552