Safia Abukar Hussein (born 1 January 1981) is a

sprint Sprint may refer to: Aerospace * Spring WS202 Sprint, a Canadian aircraft design *Sprint (missile), an anti-ballistic missile Automobiles *Alfa Romeo Sprint, automobile produced by Alfa Romeo between 1976 and 1989 *Chevrolet Sprint, a rebadged v ...

er who competed internationally for

Somalia Somalia, officially the Federal Republic of Somalia, is the easternmost country in continental Africa. The country is located in the Horn of Africa and is bordered by Ethiopia to the west, Djibouti to the northwest, Kenya to the southwest, th ...

. Hussein was the first Somali female to compete at the Olympics for her country when she competed in the

400 metres The 400 metres, or 400-meter dash, is a sprint event in track and field competitions. It has been featured in the athletics programme at the Summer Olympics since 1896 for men and since 1964 for women. On a standard outdoor running track, it is ...

at the

2000 Summer Olympics The 2000 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, officially branded as Sydney 2000, and also known as the Games of the New Millennium, were an international multi-sport event held from 15 September to 1 October ...

Sydney Sydney is the capital city of the States and territories of Australia, state of New South Wales and the List of cities in Australia by population, most populous city in Australia. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Syd ...

. She was not always supported in Somalia, where female athletes are uncommon and older men would criticise her for not staying at home. Hussein's father disliked the idea, as he was concerned that it would prevent her from finding a husband. Nevertheless, he subsequently allowed her to compete in Sydney for the sake of Somalia. Ultimately, she finished her heat in sixth place and did not progress to the next round.

References

1981 births Living people Somalian female sprinters Olympic athletes for Somalia Athletes (track and field) at the 2000 Summer Olympics Olympic female sprinters Place of birth missing (living people) {{2000-Olympic-stub