I read a story about this girl about a month ago. You have to agree she is very determined.

Kulsoom Abdullah, a Muslim-American who is passionate about weightlifting, recently learned she can do neither in a national competition unless she agrees to bare her arms and legs but such exposure would violate her deeply held religious beliefs.

Rather than giving up on her dreams, she’s pressing for a change in the sport’s international rules.

With the help of a lawyer, Kulsoom Abdullah, a muslim-american, put together a 44-page appeal laying out her argument and detailing several long-sleeved, long-legged garments that would meet both modesty requirements and competitive needs.

On June 29, the IWF announced it would allow a close-fitting “unitard” with long legs and arms under the standard singlet that most competitors wear.

“Weightlifting is an Olympic Sport open for all athletes to participate without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, or national origin," stated Tamas Ajan, IWF President. "... This rule modification has been considered in the spirit of fairness, equality and inclusion."

For Abdullah, getting to take part in high level competitions will allow her to focus her training, but she has greater hopes for her triumph over the old dress code.

“It will help increase female participation in weightlifting, and possibly increase the participation in other sports, regardless of faith,” she said. “I hope to continue and be able to help others in similar situations,” she said.