Saudi Arabian athletes have competed in 11 Summer Olympic Games to date. Their first appearance dates back to the 1972 Olympics in Munich, West Germany.
Though sports in the kingdom is dominated by men, in recent years, more and more groundbreaking female athletes and fitness trainers have been shattering the glass ceiling.
Women in the Arab world, specifically in Saudi Arabia, continue to push hard to prove themselves in all fields. The sports world, in particular, is an avenue through which stereotypes are shattered, stigmas are changed, and rights are retrieved.
Here is a look at some of the best Saudi Arabian athletes. And no, not all of them are men.
1. It started with Hadi Soua'an Al-Somaily
Hailing from Taif, Hadi Soua'an Al-Somaily grabbed Saudi Arabia its first ever medal, winning the silver in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney in the 400 meters hurdles and clocking a personal best of 47.53 seconds.
2. Followed by Osamah Al-Shanqiti
This athlete won big at the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing, bringing home the first ever gold medal, with a world record jump of 15.37 meters in the F12 triple jump event. He also won silver in the long jump, with a distance of 7.06m.
3. Dalma Rushdi Malhas: The first ever would-be female Saudi contestant
The 20-year-old won an individual bronze medal at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in 2010.
A vocal supporter of gender equality in sports, Dalma was set to compete at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Regrettably, she was disqualified from competing for failing to meet minimum eligibility standards.
4. Sarah Attar: Saudi Arabia's first ever sprinter
Prior to June 2012, female athletes from the kingdom were not allowed to compete at the Olympics. After the International Olympic Committee threatened to ban the country from the competition, Saudi Arabia finally allowed its female athletes to participate.
Sarah Attar competed in the 800 meters heat at the London Games of 2012, becoming the first ever Saudi woman to participate in the race.
5. Wojdan Shaherkani
History was made at the opening ceremony of the London Games in 2012 when two young Saudi female Olympians made their official appearance in abayas and walked along their country's Olympic team.
Hailing from Mecca, the 16-year-old competed in the 78-kg weight category in judo. At the time of the competition, she had only attained a blue belt, having practiced judo for just two years.
6. Nawaf Al-Abed
Al-Abed is a widely popular Saudi Arabian footballer who plays for Al-Hilal. He is famous for scoring what may be the fastest goal in professional football history, two seconds into an under-23 Prince Faisal bin Fahad Cup game in 2009.
7. Amal Baatia: the first Saudi Cross fit trainer
Amal Baatia is just one of many Arab women who've struggled to pursue their passion for health, sports and fitness.
Sport and health have always been an integral part of her life despite her many everyday responsibilities. “Sports helps me reduce everyday stress and it’s a convenient way to calm down and feel happy,” she said in an interview with Uber .
8. Emad Al-Malki
Emad Almalki triumphed in the World Karate Federation (WKF) Karate 1 World Cup in 2016 in Slovenia. He won his country its first gold medal of the competition in the men's under 60kg kumite category.
9. Fight like a girl with Halah Al-Hamrani
The 40-year-old mother of one is the only Saudi female kickboxing and boxing trainer in the kingdom as far as we know. Despite the pressure, Halah Al-Hamrani is doing what she does best: box - and she loves it.
10. Taisir Al-Jassim
Taisir is a key player for the kingdom. Considered to be one of the best players in Saudi Arabia in the last 10 years, the renowned Saudi currently captains the Jeddah based Al-Ahli team. He also plays for the Saudi Arabia national football team.
11. Kariman Abuljadayel
Kariman Abuljadayel competed in the women's 100m heats at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
The architecture student became the first woman from her country to contest the 100m at the Olympics and won the admiration of millions after she raced down the track sporting a black full-body kit and a hijab.
12. And Last but not least, Raha Moharrak, the first Saudi woman to climb Everest
It’s a shame that some people still perceive women as the weaker of the sexes. Luckily though, that view is changing rapidly, as more and more mighty girls set out to achieve their dreams.
Despite the fact that most of the Saudi female athletes didn't win medals, they have won an army of fans in the Arab world and beyond.
Hats off, ladies and gentlemen!