LONDON’S Olympic hopes rest in the hands of Nawal El Moutawakel, a Moroccan Muslim who has dedicated her life to overcoming prejudice.
Ms El Moutawakel made history in Los Angeles in 1984 when she won the 400m hurdles, making her the first woman from an Islamic country to win an Olympic medal.
The significance of her breakthrough was social as well as sporting because many Muslims objected to seeing female competitors, but her fellow Moroccans were euphoric. In Casablanca, her home, where her final was televised at 2am, people poured into the streets to celebrate her victory.
King Hassan II decreed that all girls born on that day be named Nawal, and one of the commuter lines in Casablanca was renamed in her honour.
Her triumph opened the doors for thousands of Muslim women who wanted to take part in sport. Her pioneering for women’s rights, combined with her intelligence and administrative skills, brought her membership of the International Olympic Committee in 1998. Her appointment as president of the evaluation commission was another big step for women.
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Ms El Moutawakel, who speaks Arabic, English and French with almost equal facility, was educated at Iowa State University and is regarded as a growing force in the IOC.
Like all of the members of the evaluation commission, which will deliver its report in June after visiting the five rival cities, Ms El Moutawakel is refusing to comment on the bids. “What I think will stay in my heart and mind,” she said.
Three of the candidate cities might believe that she will favour them for personal reasons.
Morocco is a former colony of France and Ms El Moutawakel speaks French so, the argument goes, she may be inclined to back Paris. New York is heartened that she was educated in the United States, while Lord Coe, the leader of the London bid, is an old friend because they won Olympic gold medals in the same week 21 years ago.
However, Ms El Moutawakel, 42 and married with two children, is a determined woman and is unlikely to be swayed by whims. She said: “I’m a hurdles champion, so I am used to barriers. They make you appreciate life better.”