Ibtihaj Muhammad

"As a Muslim youth, though I played a variety of sports growing up in New Jersey, my parents were in search of a sport for me to play where I could be fully covered and not have to modify the uniform. Fencing provided a unique opportunity where I could fulfill my desire to participate in sport, wear the same uniform as my teammates, and adhere to the tenets of my faith to cover my body."

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Source: The Road to Rio. Interview with Avery Stone, www.yahoo.com. August 3, 2016.

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Ibtihaj Muhammad

Ibtihaj Muhammad

Fencer, Athlete

Ibtihaj Muhammad is an Olympic fencer and the first Muslim American woman to compete in the Olympics while wearing a hijab, advocating for diversity in sports.

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"I think that we will come out on top as women, as people of color, as Muslims, as transgender people, as people who are part of the disabled community - I think that we'll come out on top."

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