Afghanistan in Olympics : Robina Muqimyar Finishes 85th, Massoud Azizi Finishes 76th

AFGHANISTAN IN BEIJING OLYMPICS 2008

Massoud Azizi and Robina Muqimyar of Afghanistan

Afghan sprinter Robina Muqimyar — who in 2004 broke the gender barrier on the Afghan Olympic team — was last in a field of 85 women in the 100 meters, with a time

of 14.80. She ran with a scarf covering her head. Robina wore a scarf covering her head, albeit one with black and white Cheetah spots and decorated with

sequins, and did not seem the least bit bothered that she was the slowest of the 85 runners.

“I’m very happy to compete in 2008 Beijing,” she said in broken English. “I am happy. I like this. I am champion for Afghanistan

Teammate Massoud Azizi finished 76th in the men's 100. He trains in Kabul's National Stadium, where the Taliban once staged regular public executions,wearing jogging shoes because his spikes won't dig into the track's cracked, concrete surface.

Image Courtsey: Leichtathletik.de