FIRST MOVES THE WORLD FORWARD
At the Olympic Games London 2012, a last place finish was still a first, and it helped change the lives of women in Saudi Arabia forever.
FIRST FEMALE OLYMPIAN
TO RUN FOR SAUDI
ARABIA
Sarah Attar
ATHLETIC ACCESS
WAS LIMITED FOR
SAUDI WOMEN
Before 2012, recreational and competitive sport was out of reach for many in Saudi Arabia. Here, obesity rates were rising, mostly amongst women and girls, impacting the health of a nation.
London 2012
REDEFINING
VICTORY
In London 2012, Attar took to the track for the 800m heat. The competition pulled ahead and for 32 seconds, Attar ran alone. But crossing the line was no defeat. Tens of thousands in the crowd stood to applaud, showing the world the impact her race was about to have.
LEGACY BEYOND THE TRACK
After London 2012, things began to change for women’s sport in Saudi Arabia. In 2013, the first sports center for women opened. The following year, the Saudi government voted to introduce physical education in all schools for girls and in 2018, the first all-female road race drew 1,500 women
WOMEN'S SPORT IN SAUDI ARABIA TODAY
London 2012 was a breakthrough for female sport in Saudi Arabia. Between 2015 and 2020, female participation rose by 149%.
Since 2012
OBESITY RATES FOR
WOMEN AND GIRLS
HAVE FALLEN BY 4%
Sarah Attar finished her race without a medal but proved that some firsts go beyond the podium.
WE’RE TRACKING HUMANITY’S PROGRESS
FROM THE WORLD’S GREATEST STAGE
You can help us spread the impact
MORE FIRSTS FROM THE OLYMPICS & PARALYMPICS
that changed the world