| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Somali |
| Born | 25 March 1991 |
| Residence | Mogadishu, Somalia |
| Weight | 119 lb (54 kg; 8.5 st)[1] |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Running |
| Event(s) | 100 m, 200 m |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Personal best(s) | 200 m: 32.16 (Beijing 2008)[2] |
Samia Yusuf Omar or Samiyo Omar (Somali: Saamiiyaa Yuusuf Omar, Arabic: سامية يوسف عمر) (born March 25, 1991[2]) is a sprinter from Somalia.
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Omar was born in Somalia in 1991, the oldest of six biological children from her mother and father. She comes from a poor family and hails from one of the country's minority ethnic groups.[3]
In preparation for competitive meets in 2008, Omar trained under difficult circumstances, facing harassment from local militants who do not believe that Muslim women should participate in sporting activities. On account of civil unrest in Mogadishu, she also did not benefit from the consistent coaching, reliable facilities and competitive meets that other elite-level athletes enjoy.[1][3]
In May 2008, Omar competed in the 100 metre sprint at the African Championships. Only 16 years old at the time of the competition, she finished last in her first round heat.[3]
Omar also represented Somalia at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. She managed a personal record of 32.16 seconds in the 200 metre sprint event, with the crowd roaring in applause.[1]
In 2011, Omar moved to Addis Abeba, the capital of neighboring Ethiopia, where a more robust and established running culture exists. Now a middle-distance athlete, she will begin training with former Olympian Eshetu Tura, who was recommended to her by the prominent Qatar-based Somali track coach Jama Aden and the Olympic medalist Mohamed Suleiman. Omar currently hopes to be prepared in time to compete in the 2012 Olympics in London.[4]