Dubai: Zahra Lari, the UAE’s first and only figure skater, heads to qualifiers this week in an attempt to become the first Emirati to compete at the Winter Olympics.
The 22-year-old will compete at the Nebelhorn Trophy in Oberstdorf, Germany, from September 27-30, hoping to reach the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, from February 9-25.
“My ultimate goal has always been to compete in the Winter Olympics,” said Lari, who has been training for four hours a day, seven days a week, since 2010.
”When I look seven years back, I remember training being pretty hard and [it being] lonely sometimes. It was all about my will and not giving up. Now people know me and know my story so I have their support. I am so close now to my goal. And when it gets tough I think of the word Olympics and what that means for my family and nation and that clears my vision and helps me focus on the goal.”
Lari got into the sport after seeing Disney’s ‘Ice Princess’ and from that moment on she begged her parents for ice skating lessons.
Three years after that first lesson she started competing and became the first international skater to wear a hijab.
“When I started skating I’d get deductions for being covered. They [the judges] had never seen covered skaters before, but after holding several meetings, I am now proud to say that Hijabi women can skate free of fear.”
Now she wants others to know Emirati athletes are strong.
“We’re confident women who know what we want, and we work very hard to accomplish our goals.”
The Nike Pro Hijab will be available in stores online from early December. For more information visit Nike.com or follow @NikeMiddleEast on social media.
