Mashael Al-Ayed has made history by becoming the first female to represent the Saudi Arabia in Olympic swimming!

The 17-year-old swimmer secured a commendable sixth place in the women’s 200-meter freestyle heats at the ongoing Paris 2024 Olympics on Sunday, July 28. Al-Ayed clocked a personal best time of 2:19:61 minutes at the Olympic pool in La Defense Arena, breaking her previous record of 2:21:04 minutes. This remarkable achievement marks her fourth major championship since entering the Elite Athlete Development Program in Saudi Arabia.

Reema bint Bandar, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the United States, was present at the Olympic pool to watch and support Mashael!

Proud to cheer on this young woman! Breaking boundaries ! Mashael Alayed 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🇸🇦🇸🇦🇸🇦🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼 @saudiolympic #PARIS2024 pic.twitter.com/sblwIS6Lj5

— Reema Bandar Al-Saud (@rbalsaud) July 28, 2024

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She expressed her pride in the young swimmer, saying, “I am proud to support this young woman, Mashael Al-Ayed, who is breaking barriers.” Al-Ayed’s performance is a testament to her hard work and dedication, and it signifies a significant step forward for Saudi women in sports.

Mashael was among the top ten athletes representing the Kingdom at the Paris 2024 Olympics

Her participation and success highlight the growing opportunities for female athletes in Saudi Arabia. Alongside her, the Saudi swimming team includes 16-year-old Zaid Al-Sarraj, who will be competing in the 100-meter freestyle event for the first time in his career. Al-Sarraj’s involvement further underscores the expanding landscape of competitive sports in the Kingdom.

The achievements of Mashael and her teammates reflect the progress and potential of Saudi athletes on the international stage!