Iran has sent 52 athletes for Olympics that three of them are women. Iranian women will compete with headscarf as Hijab. Among the competitions the Iranian Olympians will participate in are freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling, taekwondo, judo, weightlifting, archery, track and field, discus, rowing, boating, cycling, table tennis, boxing and shot-put.
Along with other presidents who appeared in the opening Ceremony, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, however, has announced he is not likely to attend the Olympic opening ceremony but is committed to showing up for the Paralympic Games. Source: PressTV
Homa Hussaini, Iranian rower. She was Iran’s national flag-bearer who led her country’s team during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium August 8, 2008. Here You can read an interview with her in BBC.
Najme Habtin, Iranian Archer. Foto of her during archery training ahead of the Beijing 2008 Olympics at Olympic Green Archery Field on August 6, 2008 in Beijing, China.
And finally, 19 years old Sara Khoshjamal-Fekri is the Iranian female heroine of the moment after qualifying for Beijing in Taekwondo. TIME Here named her as one of “100 Olympic Athletes To Watch” and a must-to-see in Olympics.
As the first Iranian woman who got qualified for Olympics in Taekwondo, Last March in Vietnam she beat the world’s No. 1, securing her cherished ticket to China.
Iranian qirls are cheering her on; huge posters of Khoshjamal adorn the Tae kwon do Federation, a popular sport for Iranian females practiced by more than 120,000 girls.
August 9, 2008 at 2:11 am
[...] Iranian women in Olympics by Shahrzad [...]
August 9, 2008 at 2:14 am
Thanks Shahrazad, will link to this.
August 9, 2008 at 2:49 am
[...] More about the Iranian women who will compete in the Olympics in Shahrzad’s blog: Iranian Women In Olympics. Do make sure you subscribe to her feed if you’d like to get a first-hand look at Iran [...]
August 9, 2008 at 2:49 am
Good job! Thanks.
August 9, 2008 at 7:20 am
good to see that Iran is proving stereotypes wrong…
August 9, 2008 at 9:41 am
Homeyra and Kamangir, Thank you for the link.
Charlene, Due to many paradoxes in my country, i loved how Homa carried the flag as leader.
August 9, 2008 at 12:33 pm
The opening ceremony was fab
August 9, 2008 at 2:18 pm
I think the women look very dignified and elegant, and I’ll be interested to see how they are doing!
Sara Koshjamail-fekri is very good and stands a good chance for a medal.
I find the Olympics much more interesting than before, because now I know so many more people from different parts of the world, and that gives me a much more global view on the games and the Olympics.
And a much greater feeling of interest and joy in the achievements of all the athletes.
August 9, 2008 at 3:10 pm
And do the drama goes on. What happens if the scarf happens to fall off? Do they get beheaded? Do they get forty whacks? I see it on Saturday Night Live and the consequences of the participation.
August 9, 2008 at 3:20 pm
LOL! I know nearlynormalized’s question is mocking, but also serious. It’s actually a valid question, but I am sure that nothing at all would happen if a scarf would slip, which is highly unlikely. She would merely reposition it at the first opportunity. That is what any Muslim woman would do, without undue attention from others.
I loved the air of confidence, elegance almost, that was apparent in the photos.
August 9, 2008 at 5:34 pm
I love the long green jacket they’re wearing, I like looking at all the clothes different countries choose to walk in with
August 9, 2008 at 7:21 pm
wow… it’s a prove that stereotypes are wrong…
They looked dignified and seem to be full of confidence…
thanks for sharing!!!
August 9, 2008 at 8:33 pm
It’s not really important that what will be the result. Olympics itself is a wonderful phenomenon and being there is actually a honor. It’s important that there are candidates from Iranian women there in the Olympics. And Mashallah, nice candidates..
Another interesting intreview with Homa Husseini, the flag-bearer on Xinhua.. I just love how this 19 years old girl is confident and proud:
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-08/05/content_8980131.htm
August 9, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Did you see that Homa Hussaini was being bashed for being the flag bearer?
Tehran, 8 August (AKI) – Iranian religious figures have criticised that Olympic female rower Homa Hosseini was chosen as the flagbearer of Iran, calling the move a ‘heresy’.
“To make a woman march with the flag of the Islamic Republic in Beijing, is pure heresy and shows total disobedience of the laws mandated by our spiritual guides,” said Seyye Ahmad Elmalhoda, leader of Friday prayers in Iran’s holy city of Mashad.
Hosseini, 19, grew up in Iran’s Kermanshah province in western Iran, she is one of three Iranian female competitors at the Olympic Games and Iran’s first ever female rower. The other two female competitors are Najmeh Abtin (archery) and Sara Khosjamal (Tae Kwon Do).
“To make this woman march means to openly declare war to our religious values. Whoever is responsible for this unforgivable act, he should know that this gesture constitutes an obstacle for the ‘appearance’ of Mahdi,” said Elmalhoda.
He was referring to the mainly Shia Islam belief that imam Mohammed al-Mahdi will appear to fight a final apocalyptic battle over the forces of evil.
Followers believe he was born in the year 868 and has been in hiding ever since awaiting a decision from god to reappear.
http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Sport…=1.0.2403699726
August 9, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Shahrzad Salam!
Thanks for posting about this! I watched the Olympics ceremony with my family last night and boy was it intense! Beautiful art! And I loved it when I saw the Iranian team with the woman as the flag bearer! She was shining with that brilliant smile! Khoda hefzeshoon konne and inshAllah they do well!
August 9, 2008 at 8:44 pm
Ummzahra, They were not religious figures. Just one religious figure who is famous to have extreme ideas. Actually in Iran, just like all other muslim countries, there are many different religious waves and ideas. This guy who said this, is not the one who decides for the country or whatever. It’s long time they had chosen Homa for that and nobody had reacted. So his idea is considered as his “personal” idea and should not be taken seriously.
Iranian national TV itself, advertised so much around Homa as being flag-bearer and they showed her several times as Iranian pride. I think Iran was one of rare countries which had a woman as flag-bearer.
teedimensionist, i hope so. There are some hopes for Sara to win a medal.
August 9, 2008 at 10:56 pm
Good to hear this, Even happier to see that the girls neednt shed their Hijabs ..
August 9, 2008 at 11:38 pm
There is one thing which really confuses me…
Are they forced to wear a hijab?The “pasderan”(سپاه پاسداران انقلاب اسلامی) forces ppl to wear a hijab.Is it the same with the olympics?DO they get punished when they loose a game(like the iraqi team under Hussein)?Don´t get me wrong but i´m really interested in those questions and when i think about this i feel reallypuzzled.
August 9, 2008 at 11:48 pm
Maryam, Me too.
Sebastian, Who said in a country that its president gets elected in a public free election, anybody will be punished for losing a game?
Saddam Hussain was a dictator. He did not come on power through public election. Yes, He used to punish iraqis if they would lose the soccer game.
But Ahmadinejad -anybody he is- got elected in a free election. Even so iranians complain, they chose him by own. He is not a dictator but just a president as others are.
A muslim woman needs to wear hijab based on her religion. As you might see, Yemeni, Bahraini and Omani women also have hijab on in the Olympics.
August 10, 2008 at 12:32 am
Thanks for the post
August 10, 2008 at 2:20 am
Hi shahrzaad, thanks for the posting. i am glad that ahmadinejad did not make it to Beijing since there is already enough smog in the air!
August 10, 2008 at 3:11 am
That is great! Kudos to Iran, and the flag bearer was a woman too! This is the kind of stuff that helps change the world, and the views of muslims. And doing it on the world stage! BRAVO!!
August 10, 2008 at 3:36 am
You go, ladies!!!
August 10, 2008 at 5:23 am
Alhamdulillah! I am so happy that three Iranian women are in the Olympics this year
Inshallah, there will be many more in the years to come. Bravo! A wonderful and uplifting post for women and the world, dearest Sister 
Ya Haqq!
August 10, 2008 at 9:12 am
Al, Welcome
Ahvazi, i thought if Ahmadinejad would appear there for opening ceremony, this Alam Al Huda in Mashhad would rip his collar.
Amir, yes. And it’ll change the views about muslims too. At least less people look at Islam via Saudi eyes.
Anonymous,
Darvish, oh welcome back to the blogsphere. We missed you here.
Thank you for your nice words. It means Iran has changed so much since the time of Revolution.
August 10, 2008 at 8:52 pm
Hey, everyone- this is Dave from Iran. Like every other Iranians in the whole World i really feel proud of watching my country’s here and heroes at both genders….takin’ it all personally, it’s been a massive driving and motivating competition arena….I wanna give all Iranian athletes, a Big Thank You for all the endeavors and efforts they put in the matches, and It wouldn’ hurt somebody if i say our Archer Miss Najmeh Abtin is really cute too. Remain Blessed!
August 10, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Hey great to see Iranian women in action
its a great event that our Chineese brothers have managed to carry out after so many conspiracies.
August 11, 2008 at 4:47 am
Very nice!! they all are very dynamic girls. Keep us posted about how they are doing.
August 11, 2008 at 8:35 am
….they look very competitive yet calm, and cheerful. They are the daughters of this religion !
August 11, 2008 at 11:55 am
all i can say is: I wish you luck Iran!!!
August 11, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Reuters: Veiled athletes challenge stereotypes in Beijing
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSPEK28709020080811
August 11, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Hello,
Shahrazad, somehow I found your blog and find it wonderful. I was blogging about hijabis in the Olympics, and have borrowed a few of your photos. I hope you don’t mind… I also linked to your post. If you would like me to remove the link, please let me know.
Thanks,
Peace,
aisha
August 11, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Dave, Thank you for your comment. Yes, Najmeh is cute.
aMmAr, Thank you. Along with some problems, They’re managing the olympics very well. I was really amazed with opening ceremony.
Zios, Am waiting for Sara Fekri which too many eyes watching her.. Najmeh and Homa were not hopes, but just proud candidates of the Olympics.
omg, Welcome to my blog. Thank you for your comment. You’re right actually.
Nas, Thank you. Me too.
Aisha, aw how interesting that i just commented on your blog. lol
With link back, It’s completely OK for me. You’re free to use any of my posts you want.
August 11, 2008 at 5:53 pm
beautiful! they look so pretty:)
August 12, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Salam,
Great dress for the women Olympians of Iran. They have a well dignified look in their Islamic dress, but look at the dancers behind them in the white dress ( in the first foto)!
August 12, 2008 at 10:49 pm
Salaam,
Nice to read about the Iranian team of athletes including a few women and I too love the outfits they were sporting (oops, pun!) for the opening ceremony.
Sadly no female athletes on the Saudi team – what’s to be expected?! 
August 13, 2008 at 10:04 pm
anyway, that’s not the right hijab, isn’t it? i mean they are still wearing body hugging clothes. (the girl in the 2nd pic on the left side)
August 14, 2008 at 1:15 am
vase khnoome abtin va tamamiye karevane Iran arezooye movafaghiat mikonam bayad bedoonan ke kare bozorgi anjam dadan ke be olympic residan…………….. ;x
August 14, 2008 at 6:25 am
The political impact of these strong girls might create shockwaves through Iranian society. If Lady Tae Kwon Do does well, legions of Iranian girls might flock to the Dojangs, exploding onto the world stage as serious contenders in tournaments. This is all well and good, the world needs a shake, some fresh blood from time to time. The problem is at home. Legions of strong, tough girls who can… fight back. Who can take a serious hit and keep fighting. Perhaps they won’t just bend their head and keep their mouth shut anymore, and that is serious progress.
Strength and Honor,
V.
August 15, 2008 at 1:46 pm
[...] von iranischen Sportlerinnen sowie einige Bilder der Eröffnungsfeier findet man bei shahrzaad [...]
August 18, 2008 at 4:07 am
yea, GO PERSIANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’M REALLY PROUD OF YOU GUYS!
MOSHALLAH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is good that now mizaram khanoom ham tooyeh olympic bashand..
PERSIAN PRIDE 4 EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 21, 2008 at 6:56 am
Good luck to all of the Iranian Olympic contingent. I have been sick of the “medal counts” for years. There are so many hours of coverage here in the US. It would be so much more fascinating to hear about a few of the members from each nation. Lots of great stories are being covered only in this manner–committed bloggers.
October 2, 2008 at 7:23 pm
[...] Now introducing *tada!* Hijabis in the Olympics. This year Beijing has brought a decent amount of press to the competitor from Bahrain who wears hijab. In addition there are 5 Egyptians, a few other women who wear hijab…and of course all 3 of the female competitors from Iran. My pic of the hijabi stars? The track star Roqaya Al Ghasara from Beijing and Sara Khoshjamal Fekri the first Iranian to compete in TaeKwondo who is inspiring Iranian women across the nation.Australia News reports on Roqaya Al-GhasaraTime Magazine excerpt about FekriAnd a story about all 3 Iranian female competitors on an Iranian Blogger’s page Shahrazad’s Blog [...]