Saudi Olympic Athlete Kariman Abuljadayel Donates Rio 2016 Olympic Running Attire to Olympic Museum
Kariman Abuljadayel, a Saudi Olympic athlete, has donated her Rio 2016 Olympic running attire to the International Olympic Committee to be part of the Olympic Museum in Switzerland. Abuljadayel made history in 2016 as the first Saudi woman athlete to participate in the Olympic 100 meters sprint competition in Rio de Janeiro. She has now shifted her focus to rowing and has donated her Olympic running outfit to inspire future generations to chase their dreams.
The First Female Saudi Athlete to Have Her Outfit Displayed
Abuljadayel spoke to Arab News and expressed her excitement and honor to donate her Rio 2016 Olympic running outfit to the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland, as the first female Saudi athlete to have her outfit displayed. She said that every time she looks at her outfit, she is reminded of the countless hours of training, dedication, and sacrifices that led her to the Olympic stage. It represents not only her journey but also the collective aspirations and achievements of Saudi female athletes.
A Heartfelt Thank You to Everyone at the Olympic Museum
Abuljadayel expressed her gratitude to everyone at the Olympic Museum for warmly welcoming her outfit to its new home. She hopes that it will inspire future generations to chase their dreams. She also received an incredible invitation from the International Olympic Committee headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, to receive her Olympics certificate and have the honor of signing the Olympians wall as the first Saudi athlete to do so.
Shifting from Sprinting to Rowing
Abuljadayel discussed shifting from sprinting to rowing. She said that one of the primary factors behind her transition to rowing was its suitability for her height and physique. Standing at 180cm, she found that rowing provided a better match for her physical attributes compared to sprinting. During her bachelor’s degree in architecture at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, Abualjadayel realized that rowing was her future career.
An Incredible Opportunity to Continue Her Rowing Endeavors
Abuljadayel had the incredible opportunity to continue her rowing endeavors at the lake at Eton College in the UK. This world-class rowing venue has a rich history of hosting international competitions, including the rowing events during the London 2012 Olympic Games. Moreover, rowing presented an opportunity for her to experience fresh challenges since there was no rowing federation in Saudi when she started rowing. Witnessing the establishment and growth of the Saudi Rowing Federation from its infancy to the present has been nothing short of amazing.
Earning Medals at Both Asian and World Levels
Since transitioning to rowing and having the Saudi rowing federation established, Abuljadayel has been fortunate enough to earn medals at both Asian and world levels. This success has validated her decision and reaffirmed the immense potential of Saudi women in sports. She hopes to bring glory to her country in her next competitions and showcase the best of her abilities, embodying the spirit, values, and hopes of her country, and leaving an indelible mark on the global stage.
Conclusion
Kariman Abuljadayel has made history as the first Saudi woman athlete to participate in the Olympic 100 meters sprint competition in Rio de Janeiro. She has now shifted her focus to rowing and has donated her Rio 2016 Olympic running attire to the International Olympic Committee to be part of the Olympic Museum in Switzerland. Abuljadayel hopes that her outfit will inspire future generations to chase their dreams. She has earned medals at both Asian and world levels and hopes to bring glory to her country in her next competitions.