Las Vegas Review-Journal (Sunday)
First US athlete in hijab, team win fencing bronze
RIO DE JANEIRO — Ibtihaj Muhammad came to the Olympics determined to show the world that Muslim-American women can excel in sports.
Muhammad will return home to New Jersey with proof that she was right.
Muhammad, who became the first U.S. Olympian to wear a hijab during competition this past week, won a bronze medal Saturday along with her teammates in the women’s team sabre event.
The U.S. routed Italy 45-30 to clinch third place and the first women’s medal in fencing for the Americans in Rio de Janeiro. The Americans lost to Russia earlier Saturday in the semifinals 45-42.
“This is sport. It doesn’t matter what hair color you have, or what religion you are. The point is to go out there and be the best athlete you can be,” American teammate Dagmara Wozniak said. “We’re the best explanation of what American is. A mix of so many different cultures and races, and everything all together.”
Russia won its fourth fencing gold medal of the Rio Games in the final, beating Ukraine 45-30.
Muhammad made headlines around the world Monday simply by wearing a head scarf on the piste, adhering to the tenets of her Muslim faith.
The attention for the team event was much more focused simply on fencing — and Muhammad reminded folks why she made the Olympic team in the first place.
“This has been a long journey for us,” Muhammad said. “To be able to compete at the level that we’ve worked toward, on the world’s biggest stage, the Olympic Games, is truly a blessing for us. … I’ll never forget this moment.”