Hassiba Boulmerka: Testing Her Faith
The pioneering accomplishments of track star Hassiba Boulmerka made her a controversial figure in her native country, Algeria. She was the first woman from an Arab or African nation to win a world track-and-field championship and the first Algerian to win an Olympic gold medal. She inspired strong feelings of pride and respect among many people in the region. Indeed, following her Olympic win, she was awarded Algeria’s prestigious Medal of Merit. Not all Algerians regarded her as a heroine, however. Many of the country’s Islamic traditionalists vehemently denounced Boulmerka when she competed dressed in runner’s shorts and a tank ...(100 of 297 words)