Qatar's first femalle Olympian in 28 years

Qatari Noor al-Malki Doha – Agencies One of the biggest stories of the London 2012 Olympics will have nothing to do with speed. The Qatari teenager, Noor al-Malki will join break a national record in her country’s sporting history. On Wednesday, Qatar announced that it was selecting 17 year old Noor al-Malki, onto its team for the London Olympics, making her the country’s first female Olympian in 28 years of sending all-male squads to the Games. Al-Malki will be joined by swimmer Nada Mohammed Wafa Arakji and shooter Bahia Mansour al-Hamad in that pioneering role. Al-Maliki  was excited and surprised by the decision, saying: “I didn’t expect the honour. I feel very happy I will represent my country in London. I know it is a heavy burden but I promise I will try at least to improve my personal best. I will train hard to achieve my goal.” Al-Mailki story began, when back in 2008, she was plucked from school and identified as an athlete with huge promise. This was back when the Qatar had formed its first female training group. She has been improving ever since, from 15.31 seconds in the 100m four years ago, to 12.73 last season. In the Olympics, a usual qualifying standard for London is 11.29, with the B standard being 11.38. However, al-Malki will be granted a wild-card exception. This is due to the fact that the inclusion of al-Malki on the Qatari Olympic track & field team, is a crucial gesture for Qatar, which is bidding to host the 2020 Games in Doha. The history of female exclusion from athletic competition by Middle Eastern countries is one reason why Qatar’s Olympic bid has been frowned upon by the western media. Qatar’s Athletics Federation (QAF) president, Abdullah al- Zaini, said at the pre-meet press conference: "Female athletes like al-Malki are supported by the Qatar Athletics Federation because women are very important to sport in Qatar and especially in athletics”. He added: “She is very young and not so experienced so she will not expect to win in London, but she is showing to the people of the world that we are on the right path and encouraging females in sport  and not just concentrating on the men in athletics." To drive this point and to push their bid for hosting the 2020 Olympics,  the QAF added a girls 100m showcase race to the beginning of the program at the Diamond League season opener in Doha on May 11. Al-Malki won the race is a new personal-best 12.70, out-leaning Baida Kamara at the finish. These efforts by al-Maliki drew a vote of confidence from Qatar’s first Olympic medalist, Mohammed Suleiman. Suleiman told the local Qatari media: “I see a bit of myself in Noor. Noor may be a wild-card entry, but she’s also a powerful symbol of the changing times. In 1992, people dismissed Qatar as just another nation. My medal helped change that perspective. Noor’s participation will forever alter the view that our country doesn’t encourage women’s sports.”