In an unprecedented event, women are represented in all 205 countries competing in the London Olympic Games. Countries like Brunei, Saudi Arabia and Qatar are sending women for the first time and The U.S. has 269 women at the games this year, more than their 261 male counterparts.
For Saudi Arabia, sending two female athletes is record-breaking and a step in the right direction for equality in the country known for its oppressive regime against women. Wodjan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shahrkhani will compete in the games for Saudi Arabia in the over-78 kilogram women's judo competition and Sarah Attar will compete in the women's 800 meters.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) President, Jacques Roggi said to press, "You know, it's a human right. Women have the right to practice sport, they want to practice, they love sport; they are attracted to sport. And we must make sure that barriers are broken down."
For Afghanistan, Tahmina Kohistani will represent the war-torn country as a sprinter in the 100- and 200-meter races, creating history as only the third women to participate in the games from Afghanistan and the only female on the Afghan team this year. The 100 will kick off on August 3 at 10:40 A.M. and the 200 on August 6 at 7:20 p.m.
Kohistani admitted to Meredith Vieira during an interview on Today on Tuesday that she is torn between her Muslim faith and her dreams of achieving Olympics success. "They were saying that I'm not a good Muslim. There are a lot of Afghan woman who (do) not accept me in my rules, in my way. They think I am wrong, but I am not wrong,' she said.
She told Vierra that she has had mixed reactions about her participation in the Olympics, "Sometimes I think it is a dream, but I am here. It was very hard and very difficult for me. A lot of people are supporting me, but a lot of people don't, and they don't like me. They just hate me.''
Due to the Title IX legislation that was passed in 1972, there have been more opportunities for women in sports. The legislation helped deliver equal opportunities for women in intercollegiate athletics.
Dominique Dawes, a part of the gold-medal winning 1996 Olympics' team said to TODAY.com, "Title IX has played a huge role. This is the 40th anniversary of Title IX, which was responsible for opening up a number of opportunities for females in sports. I give applause to all of those pioneers that have really pushed for Title IX to give women equal opportunity."
