“I will fast but if it becomes challenging then I will reconsider. I will have to talk to my coach and the nurse has to see me to decide on what to do about Ramadan. We have not discussed it yet.”

So says sprinter Noor al-Malki, one of three athletes making history as Qatar’s first female entrants to an Olympic games. In an interview with Reuters, she also says that she will run in London wearing a headscarf and will have her arms and legs covered.

“They might say ‘she’s covered up’ but this is our religion. I am very proud of it and I will not listen to what people say.”

Al-Malki will be joined in London by Qatari female swimmer Nada Arakji and shooter Bahia Al Hamad.

Credit: Photo by Vinod Divakaran at Doha Stadium Plus Qatar