Muslim Sportswomen Gain Standing in Beijing

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By Aline Bannayan
WeNews correspondent

The Beijing Olympics starting Friday will showcase the varying degrees to which Muslim countries are warming up to women's sports. The United Arab Emirates and Oman are sending women for the first time.

AMMAN, Jordan (WOMENSENEWS)--Even before the Beijing Summer Olympics begin on Friday, Habiba Hinai is tasting victory.

For the first time her country is sending a female Olympian to the games. Buthaina Yaqoubi, 16, will compete in the 100-meter dash and either the long jump or the triple jump.

Hinai, one of three women to represent Oman by bearing the Olympic torch during the relay earlier this year, is vice-chair of Oman's Volleyball Association, the highest position for any woman in the country's sports scene.

http://www.womensenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/3696