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Faster, higher, stronger, fairer
A total of 197 nations participated at Atlanta 1996, but 26 of those did not have a single woman representative. In 16 years, the number of countries has swollen marginally to 204. But remarkably, each of those has at least one woman competing under its flag.
A total of 197 nations participated at Atlanta 1996, but 26 of those did not have a single woman representative. In 16 years, the number of countries has swollen marginally to 204. But remarkably, each of those has at least one woman competing under its flag.
MAJINDA KELMENDI
She has an Albanian passport, and is competing under her neighbour’s flag. But when she takes part in the women’s 52kg event on Sunday, this judoka will know she is representing a country whose sovereignty is only partially recognised around the world – Kosovo.
WODJAN ALI SERAJ ABDULRAHIM SHAHRKHANI & SARAH ATTAR
In Saudi Arabia where women are banned from taking part in sport, the inclusion of these two athletes is not just symbolic, but a potential catalyst for change. Attar will take part in the 800m race, and judoka Shahrkhani in the 78kg event, provided her hijab issue gets sorted out.
MAZIAH MAHUSIN
The 400m hurdler isn’t just Brunei’s first woman Olympian – Maziah Mahusin also had the honour of carrying the tiny Southeast Asian nation’s flag during the opening ceremony at the Olympic Stadium.
SHERAB ZAM & KUNZANG CHODEN
Bhutan’s only two athletes happen to be 28-year-old women. Choden is the country’s first non-archer Olympian. Archer Zam is quite progressive, given that traditional archery is open only to men.
Packing a punch
For the first time, women’s boxing has been recognised by the IOC. It gives our very own MC Mary Kom, a five-time world champion, to have a shot at Olympic glory. The 51kg flyweight pugilist starts off in the round of 16 on August 5.
