‘My mum is my fire’: UAE Olympic sprinter Maryam Al Farsi’s mission to give back
On the mirror in Maryam Al Farsi’s bathroom are coloured Post-it notes carrying the promises she makes herself every morning. “I will provide for my mum. I am strong. I will do this.” On the days she doubts herself, she reads them, walks out of her room and sees her mother working on her laptop, a reminder of why she must continue pursuing her dreams. Al Farsi is now 18, but two years ago in…
Maryam Al Farsi, an 18-year-old sprinter from the United Arab Emirates, is determined to give back to her family. Her bathroom is adorned with colored Post-it notes that remind her to provide for her mother, Leila, and her twin sister, Ilham, who are both strong pillars in her life. At just 16, Al Farsi made history by becoming the first Emirati sprinter to compete at the Olympic Games in Paris.
She told The National that her lifelong mission is to support her family, especially her mother, who has sacrificed everything to make her dreams come true. Al Farsi's mother, who raised her and her brother as a single mother, financed her education, training, and daily expenses. Al Farsi wants to retire both her mother and twin sister from financial worries.
Despite the sacrifices her mother made, Al Farsi also admires her for not caring about material things and focusing on health, happiness, and love. Her mother's unwavering support and belief in her abilities inspired Al Farsi to pursue a career in athletics and education. She is currently an aspiring entrepreneur and wants to attend Harvard Business School.
Written by urgent.news from The National UAE's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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