Maryam Yusuf Jamal

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Maryam Yusuf Jamal (Arabic: مريم يوسف جمال) (born Tola Kotu Zenebech on September 16, 1984, in Ethiopia) is a Bahraini middle distance runner. 2005 is her first full season. She gained the national record and led the world in the 3000 m in July 2005 with a time of 8:28.87 at a race in Oslo.

1 Youth
2 Training
3 Controversy
4 Wins
5 Personal Bests
6 External link

[edit] Youth

Jamal was born in the Arsi Zone in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia, an area famous for bringing runners to the world, including Haile Gebreselassie. She was born into the Christian tribe of Oromo, and fled with her husband, Tariq Yaqoob, due partially to the political oppression of those people. Jamal had run a qualifying time for the 2004 Summer Olympics, but was refused permission to represent her home country by the Ethiopian Athletic Federation. In 2004 she and her husband sought political asylum in Lausanne, Switzerland. She applied for multiple citizenship papers before Bahrain granted them to her that same year. Bahrain, eager to gain a sporting image, granted this in exchange that she change her name to an Arabic one and that she compete in the Asian Games in Doha, Qatar in 2006.

[edit] Training

Based in Lausanne, Jamal often trains at altitude in St. Moritz. She is trained by her husband Tariq Yaqoob (who was Mnashu Taye before being granted Bahraini citizenship with his wife).

[edit] Controversy

After winning the 3000 m in Oslo on July 14, 2005, her image was published throughout the international sporting press. Her outfit of short shorts and a sleaveless midriff bearing top caused a minor outrage in Bahrain led by MP Hamad Al-Muhannadi. In 2004, Bahraini champion Ruqaya Al Ghasra competed in the Athens Olympics fully covered. Bahrain Athletics Association vice-president Mohammed Jamal said the association was already planning to give new sportswear to Ms Jamal, which covered her stomach and her legs down to the knee. However comments by Mohammed Jamal show that to be unlikely to actually occur.

[edit] Wins

June 11, 2005 800 m - 1:59.69 - Atletica Génève
June 14, 2005 1500 m - 3:59.13 - Athens Super Grand Prix/Tsiklitiria Athína
July 5, 2005 1500 m - 4:01.73 - Athletissima Lausanne
July 29, 2005 3000 m - 8:28.87 - Bislett Oslo/Oslo Golden League

[edit] Personal Bests

Distance	Mark	Location	Date
800 m	1:59.69	Génève	June 11, 2005
1500 m	3:56.79	Rieti	June 14, 2005
3000 m	8:28.87	Oslo	July 29, 2005
5000 m	14:51.68	Hengelo	May 29, 2005
1/4 Marathon	34:19	Lausanne	October 24, 2004
1/2 Marathon	1:11:43	Uster	September 18, 2004