First U.S. Olympian with a head scarf

The Olympic Games

First U.S. Olympian with a head scarf

The U.S. sabre fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad will be eliminated at the Olympics early. Nevertheless, their performance is historical: as the first U.S. athlete she is wearing a hijab. She’s an Athlete with a history.

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Rio: you want to go with a Hijab to the Start

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Rio: you want to go with a Hijab to the Start

Ibtihaj Muhammad smiled a little shyly, then, in the run-up with a lot of media attention gave saber fencer entered on the Monday morning for the first time, the Olympic Planche. And wrote history As the first U.S. athlete in the 30-Year-old at the Olympic Games with a headscarf.

Even if the world’s eighth ranking in its first appearance to their athletic goals not achieved – eliminated in the second round – is now one of the personalities of the games. Muhammad is black, a Muslim and even against prejudice.

“I hope that I can change the image that people have of Muslim women,” said Muhammad, who experienced everyday discrimination. In the heated atmosphere of the US election campaign, her words, her Olympic appearance with a clear Statement. The mood against Muslims is not, since the presidential candidacy of Donald Trump’s aggressive how long.

“I want to prove that one should absolutely stop nothing to achieve his goals. Neither race, Religion nor gender,” said Muhammad: “I hope I can at least inspire a single Muslim girl to start with fencing. Not all of them. Only one thing.”

As Muhammad 13 is passing in front of your mother Inayah randomly at the local High School and see some of the fencers in the Cafeteria. Especially the sports clothing immediately arouses the interest of the mother, because the fencers are covered from head to toe. “I don’t know what it is for a Sport, but you can do it,” she says to Ibtihaj, who previously had to wear it to the Volleyball or Softball long clothing under her sports dress.

In 2009, Muhammad, who grew up in New Jersey, for the first time U.S. champion and 2014 world champion with the team. Also in Rio, Team USA is a member of candidates of the Medal.

Ibtihaj Muhammad: a woman with A story

Muhammad, however, is much more than “just” an Athlete: she is the face of Muslim women in the United States, a role model for many. President Barack Obama spoke on it during a visit to a mosque in his speech, personally, and asked you to rise from your place. “An athlete will be wearing at the Olympics, her head cloth. I told her to bring the Gold,” Obama said.

With First Lady Michelle Obama, Muhammad completed joint appointments, appearances in TV Shows almost everyday that Time Magazine chose it among the 100 most influential people. Also with your own grandmother, Louella named fashion collection, you want to change the image of Muslim women.

At your first Chance, it was in Rio, anything with a medal, the next opportunity comes on Saturday with the team. The Team of two-time individual Olympic champion Mariel Zagunis has a good chance: It won the 2014 world championship Gold.

sw/jk (dpa, sid)


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