COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — Kulsoom Abdullah of Atlanta has filed to compete in the national weightlifting championships a day after the sport’s world governing body modified its rules to accommodate her Muslim beliefs.
The International Weightlifting Federation announced Wednesday that it would allow athletes to wear a full-body “unitard” under the customary weightlifting uniform.
Abdullah hadn’t competed in high-level U.S. competitions because her Muslim faith required her to cover her arms, legs and head. IWF rules have stated that an athlete’s knees or elbows must be visible so officials can determine if a lift is correctly executed.
USA Weightlifting CEO John Duff says “we welcome her participation in our most prestigious domestic event.”
The championships are July 15-17 in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
