Qatar’s female hurdles champion athlete and an ambassador for the successful 2019 Athletics World Championships bid, being an inspiration to young females from Qatar and across the region, and to challenge perceptions of Qatari women’s sport participation are two of the things she cherishes the most – a passion she is ready to give her all to achieve.
Meeting the 19-year-old student of Communications at the Northwestern University in Doha for the first time, one is surprised that she doesn’t look anything like your typical athlete. But behind the”feminine”frame lies a strength of steel. One that has seen her dominate her field to win various laurels, including her most recent success at the GCC Women’s Games in Doha, where she claimed silver and bronze medals.
In this interview with Qatar Tribune’s Victor Bolorunduro, Mariam, who speaks fluent French besides the native Arabic and English, opens up on her career and the journey so far.
Excerpt:
How did the journey start for you as an athlete?
I started athletics in 2013 at the age of 15. I used to be involved in sports – football, handball, volleyball and all that. I was very active in school and represented my school at various sporting events. We had an event at Aspire Academy and a coach approached my father after watching my performance. He then asked if I could be allowed to join the national team and my father had no objection. That was how I joined the team and the journey began from there.
You had your first major competition at the age of 16 at the 2014 West Asian Championships, how was it like?
I finished fourth in the 400m flat at that championship but I felt great because it opened my eyes to see what I can achieve with determination. I was the youngest athlete at the competition and I narrowly missed the podium finish. This was a senior competition and I was still a junior as at then. It was a very good result for my age that year and it motivated me to train harder, work harder and do better.
What informed your choice of discipline – hurdles?
Hurdles is something I love. It is very challenging and I love challenges. When I started, I discovered it was something I could do and my development has been very rapid. Less than two years of joining the national team, I started winning medals and I’m very proud of the achievements thus far.
You’ve become the face of female athletics in Qatar, how’ve you been coping with the attendant responsibility?
When I took up the responsibility of representing the national team, especially the girls, I saw it as an honour, an opportunity to showcase the development of sports in Qatar and I’ve enjoyed every bit of the task. Being an ambassador for Qatar’s successful bid for the 2019 Athletics World Championships was a huge responsibility and honour. We promised the IAAF that we are not only going to host a very successful championships, but that I will also be competing. This is a promise I’m focussed on keeping and I can’t wait enough to win medals for Qatar on home soil in 2019.
How did you feel when you were selected as an ambassador for the 2019 bid?
I was called upon by the then QOC Secretary-General Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman al Thani together with Mutaz Barshim. I represented the women while Mutaz, of course, was the face of male athletics. Being selected from a large pool of female athletes was a big thing for me and I was quite ecstatic about the honour. Being an ambassador gave me the opportunity to show the best I can do and I fell in love with the role instantly. We showcased our capabilities to the world in Monaco and we highlighted sports developments in Qatar. We won the bid and I’m very happy to have contributed my part in achieving this feat.
What can you say about female sports in Qatar between the time you started and now?
There have been a lot of improvements and we’ve had a rapid development. I’m very impressed that a lot of girls are now participating in sports and representing the national team in various disciplines – not only in athletics. This is something that gladdens my heart and I’ll like to appreciate the authorities for providing a very conducive environment for girls like me to showcase their talents in sport.
Qatar is moving in the right direction. You know that even in Greece, where the Olympic started, women were not allowed to participate in sports several years ago. But things changed with time. For Qatar, the growth of female sports has been quite remarkable and I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved so far.
What was it like representing Qatar on the track?
I am very very proud. It is not something many people have the opportunity of doing and for me to be one of those privileged to do it, I count it as something of honour and something that I cherish very much. I’ve always strived to represent Qatar in the best way possible. It’s something I like to do and hope to continue to do as much as I can.
There was this QOC video which you did with US Olympic medallist Emma Coburn which has gone viral now with almost 2.5 million views. In the video, you helped explain what it means to be an Arab woman in sport and helped changed the negative perception people have about sportswomen competing in hijab. How does it feel like doing the video and its subsequent impacts?
Wow! I didn’t know it has gone that viral. I am amazed. Basically, this video is a mix of Western and Arab culture. It showcases perceptions from different people’s views and how sports, in this case, athletics (Diamond League), can be a vehicle to promote unity and understanding. It created an awareness and showed to the world that nothing is impossible. It has helped to break barriers and the stereotypes that people have about female athletes in the Arab world. It has showed the world that Arab female athletes are on the rise. I’m really proud to be a part of the project.
Was the video rehearsed or it was something spontaneous?
The video just happened. Everything you saw in the video was natural. We were not acting any script. It was basically the recording of a natural conversation between Emma and I.
She was interested in knowing more about the Arab culture and we sort of jelled. It was a conversation between two interested people and we never knew the recording will be this viral. The producers (QOC) were very professional and I’m happy with the interest it has generated and given the opportunity, it is something I’ll like to do again.
What are your future plans?
I want to compete at the 2019 World Championships in Doha. But before then, I want to win as many medals as possible in the competitions I participate in. I want to be consistent and to ensure that I achieve something big for Qatar.
Are you intending to become a full professional athlete or it is something you want to do by the sides?
I want to be a professional athlete but at the same time my studies is important to me.
Presently, I’m a student at Northwestern University in Doha where I am studying Communications. I’ll like to be either a print journalist or a TV presenter in the future. For now, athletics is my passion and it is also my focus. I want to reach the peak of my athletics career before considering any other thing.
What’s your view about the 2017 Diamond League?
It was an amazing experience. The competition was well organised and we had a lot of world class athletes in Doha. The atmosphere was electric and the stadium attendance was quite huge. The marketing and publicity was really great.
What is your favourite colour?
Brown and pink. Brown to me is very elegant and unique.
Your favourite food?
I eat everything. No personal favourite though I like sushi and burgers (laughter).
Your favourite car?
I like Porsche 911 turbo. It is a very nice car.
If not athletics, which sport?
Football and horse riding.
Advice for the upcoming athletes?
Be confident and have hopes. Set very high goals for yourself and don’t be intimidated by other people’s success. Believe in yourself and your abilities and reach for your goals.
Your favourite athlete?
Michael Johnson. I like his attitude to the sport, his achievement and his performance. He embodies the qualities I like in an athlete.