0009_WOROUD-SAWALHA_12038_2C3E4193_A

Woroud Sawalha, 20, runner, Palestine. "I trained by myself in the mountains of our village, where it's filled with trees and nature. I was running before I wore the headscarf and continued after. I found a few difficulties but I got used to it. There's nothing wrong with it, as Islam promotes exercise and it doesn't prevent women from pursuing sports. I don't know what the dress code is for the Olympics, but I'll wear something comfortable. When I return to my country I will try to change society's views on women playing sports," she says, as quoted by the Financial Times.