Middle Eastern pioneers are already breaking records in the 2012 London Olympics. Saudi Arabian women are competing for the first time, Tunisia is going for the gold in basketball, the UAE is making its debut, and much more. See action shots of some of the region’s Olympic trailblazers.
Nada Arkaji holds the distinction of being amongst the first group of women ever to compete in the Olympic Games for Qatar, along with sprinter Noor al Malki, shooter Bahiya al-Hamad, and table tennis player Aya Magdy. She is also the only swimmer from Qatar heading to London. Arkaji, who will compete in the 50m freestyle, is only 17 years old.
(Photo: Reuters)