RIYADH: Saudi swimmer Mashael Al Ayed set a new personal record and secured the sixth position in the 200-meter freestyle event at the Paris la Defense Arena during the 33rd Olympics Games.

The competition was attended by President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal.

Al Ayed, 17, delivered an exceptional performance in her first Olympic appearance, finishing the race in 2:19.61, breaking her previous record of 2:21.04.

Al Ayed is one of the first female swimmers in the Saudi Swimming Federation. She is also the first Saudi female swimmer to win a regional medal and is registered with the International Swimming Federation.

The 17-year-old is the only female swimmer in the delegation and smashed her personal best to come sixth of seven in her 200 metres freestyle heat.

Female athletes were for many years an untapped reservoir of talent in the conservative Islamic state, with girls banned from participating in sport at public schools until 2017 and women not allowed into sports stadiums until the following year.

Princess Reema bint Bandar bint Sultan, an influential member of the Saudi Olympic committee and the kingdom’s ambassador to Washington, who has led efforts to integrate Saudi women into sport, wrote on X “Proud to cheer on this young woman! Breaking boundaries! Mashael Alayed.”

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