Lima Azimi wore long, baggy pants. She wore spikes for the first time. Officials had to show her how to use the starting blocks.
But just getting to run in Saturday's 100m heats at the World Championships was a milestone for the 22-year-old Azimi, the first woman from Afghanistan ever to compete at the global meet.
"This was important for my country, for me, my country," Azimi said. "It's the first time that girls of Afghanistan participate in such a world championship. But it is my participation that is important, not my result."
Wearing bib No. 1 and running in the inside lane against world stars like Kelli White and Merlene Ottey, Azimi finished about 40m behind the field in a "personal best" time of 18.37 seconds.
That was more than seven seconds behind White, the US champion in the 100m and 200m and a gold medal favorite at the world meet. White and Ottey, the former Jamaican who now runs for Slovenia, were both clocked in 11.26 seconds.
Azimi is one of two Afghan athletes entered for the championships. Under the former Taliban regime, women were banned from competing in sports.
Afghanistan, still wracked by fighting, was recently reinstated by the International Olympic Committee and hopes to send a team to next year's Athens Olympics. Azimi wore dark blue sweat pants and a gray T-shirt with short sleeves, in sharp contrast with the tight-fitting racing outfits of the other runners.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely