400 metres Hurdles, Women

Women had competed in the 400 hurdles in 1978 and 1982 at the European Championships. In 1980, the IAAF arranged a special “World Championship” in the 400 hurdles for women after it was not included on the Olympic Program. The event was also conducted at the 1st World Athletics Championships in 1983, but 1984 was the first time the event was included on the Olympic Program. The East Germans and Soviets had dominated this event to date and their absence in 1984 made the event wide open. The surprise winner was Morocco’s Nawal El-Moutawakel. By winning, she became the first Muslim woman and the first woman from an Islamic nation to win a medal at the Olympics. Although she at first was a hero to the Moroccan people, with celebrations in the streets of Casablanca on the night of her victory, she later was subjected to criticism and intimidation by Islamic fundamentalists. El-Moutawakel later became the first Muslim woman to be asked to join the International Olympic Committee.