Sprinters have long been squeezing their muscular frames into the most eye-catching skimpy, tight and revealing costumes imaginable but one female athlete at this year’s Olympics is bucking the trend for bulging lycra and naked torsos. In 2004, Bahrain's Ruqaya Al Ghasara, a devout Muslim, was the first athlete to ever take part in an Olympics wearing a Hijaab.
Bahrain's Roqaya Al-Gassra powers to victory in her 200m sprint heat on the 19th of August. Al 
Ghasara won her heat of the women’s 200m sprint at the Bird's Nest stadium - despite being clothed head to foot. Admittedly, Al Ghasara's Hijaab is a rather sportier version of the traditional dress. Clinging to her body as she powers down the track the Hijaab completely covers her head, arms and legs.
Ghasara won her heat of the women’s 200m sprint at the Bird's Nest stadium - despite being clothed head to foot. Admittedly, Al Ghasara's Hijaab is a rather sportier version of the traditional dress. Clinging to her body as she powers down the track the Hijaab completely covers her head, arms and legs. Known as a Hujood - or Hijaab combined with a sports hood - the costume was specially designed for Al Ghasara by an Australian sports clothing company. It allows Muslim athletes to compete while still adhering to the strict modesty required of their faith.
Al-Gassra prays as she celebrates winning her 200m heat.
Al Ghasara, who was the Bahrain flag-bearer at last week’s opening ceremony, said the Hujood has improved her performance. 'It’s great to finally have a high performance outfit that allows me to combine my need for modesty with a design made from breathable, moisture-controlled fabric,” she said.
'It’s definitely helped me to improve my times being able to wear something so comfortable and I’m sure it will help me to give my best performance at Beijing.
'I hope that my wearing the Hujood sports top will inspire other women to see that modesty or religious beliefs don’t have to be a barrier to participating in competitive sports.'
In 2004 Al Ghasara defied objections from fundamentalists in her village to take part in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, running in the 100 metres and in 2006 she won the women’s 200m final at the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, making her the first Bahraini -born athlete to win a major international athletics gold medal.
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