Stars
Iran's first woman winter Olympian to compete in Vancouver
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-02-09 10:25
 |
Large Medium Small |
VANCOUVER - Marjan Kalhor will become the first ever Iranian woman athlete to take part in the Winter Olympics when Vancouver is ready to kick off its 21st edition in four days.
|
 Iranian Marjan Kalhor (L) reacts next to Iran's Mitra Kalhor after the women's giant slalom 1st run at the World Ski Championships in 2009 in Val d'Isere, French Alps. Kalhor, who never imagined she would one day become the first Iranian woman to take part in the Winter Olympics, insists her moment of history will not fall foul of her country's conservative rulers. [Photo/Agencies] |
Iran will participate in the Vancouver Winter Olympics with three men and one woman athlete during the period from February 12 to 28.
Kalhor has qualified for the Winter Olympics in the slalom and giant slalom competitions. And the 21-year-old will take part in the Games while observing the Islamic dress code.
Porya and Hossein Saveh-Shemshaki will represent Iran in the Alpine event and Seyyed Jafar Seyd will participate in the cross-country.
"Iran's skiing has progressed in recent years. We have hosted over 40 international tournaments in the past five years," said Iran Ski Federation president Isa Saveh-Shemshaki.
"It is for the first time that four Iranian athletes will participate in the Winter Olympics. Marjan Kalhor qualified for the event in the international tournament we hosted for women," the president added.
