Running is the great equalizer. No matter your background, creed, gender, age or time, running is the sport that unites us all.
For Qatari hurdler Mariam Farid, it has been a key part of her own empowerment journey, as she has used running to not only gain prominence in her home country, but across the world, becoming the first hijabi female Qatari athlete to take part in the World Athletic Championships, and now, to star in a global adidas campaign.
Mariam Farid stars along with Liverpool football star Mo Salah as well as Egyptian runner Khadija Hegazy in the new global film ‘Running Needs Nothing But You’, a moment she hopes inspires women in the Middle East and across the world to “show the world what we can do,” she says.
On International Women’s Day, we spoke with Farid about her journey as a runner, her partnership with adidas, and the change landscape for women in sport in the region–a change she has been on the forefront of.
Esquire Middle East speaks with Mariam Farid
When did your relationship with running begin?
Mariam Farid: Running has always been a part of my life. It’s a sport that many people start at a young age, which they don’t realize.
For instance, running starts when you’re in kindergarten by playing tag with friends, sometimes, even to run away from your mother when she’s trying to feed you something you do not like. Furthermore, running is also incorporated in other kind of sports such as basketball and football.
For me, professionally, it has been almost 11 years since I have been doing track and field run and being part of the national team of Qatar. Running has become a big part of my life ever since I was a child.
What is it that you love most about the sport?
Mariam Farid: What I love most about running is that it brings me freedom, power, and effort, but most importantly, that it’s for everyone.
For every run, I am driven by desire to inspire the next generation of women to break down barriers and make their impossible, possible.
What moment from your professional hurdling career do you think back to the most?
Mariam Farid: It all started when I was 16 years old and was invited to be an ambassador for Qatar’s bidding team for the World Athletic Championship. I spoke on behalf of the women in the region, women in sports, in front of the International Olympic Committee.
In fact, out of all the speakers and ambassadors, I was the youngest of all from the bidding team. This was a huge challenge as I faced bids from other major countries such as the United States and Spain. However, Qatar ended up winning the bid and hosted the World Athletic Championship for the first time in the Middle East in 2019.
This was a big achievement and success for the country and for me, as it opened many doors. I managed to influencerand show that there are women in the Middle East that play sports, compete in global competitions, and strive for success.
Once that dream was fulfilled, I remembered the promise I made to girls my age and younger in my opening speech during the bid, that I will be competing one day in the World Athletic Championship, and in 2019, I did just that.
This made me the first hijabi female Qatari athlete to take part in this global championship.
What stands out to you about the sporting culture in Qatar?
Mariam Farid: Qatar is a country of sports. We have seen the great development of sports happen in the within the past few years, especially witnessing one of the world’s biggest events, the FIFA World Cup 2022.
Qatar has become a place where growth and opportunities are flourishing in sports. Not only do we see it in investments, but the people in Qatar are changing, as more are encouraged to do sports.
What does being a part of this Adidas campaign mean to you?
Mariam Farid: To start with, I am honored to represent adidas not just in the region, but globally, for their long-standing brand attitude, Impossible is Nothing – Running Needs Nothing But You. Together, adidas continues to show its immense support of women from different backgrounds and identities. And for me, this is crucially important, as I am a strong advocate for Arab women, especially hijabi women in sports, not just in the region, but internationally.
Within this campaign, we are not just showcasing two Arab hijabi women, we are breaking the stereotype that no matter your identity, women who run can make the impossible, possible. In addition, I was honored to take part in the narration for the Arabic voice over of the global campaign, which to me, is a great testament that looks at breaking down any kind of stereotype that women go through.
Nonetheless, working together with adidas on “Running Needs Nothing But You”, is to encourage all kinds of people, whether in the region or globally, that running just needs you to show-up.
What do you hope the world takes away from this spotlight on your career?
Mariam Farid: That I stand true to adidas’ long-standing brand attitude, Impossible Is Nothing. There is no set of limitations to what an Arab women can achieve. Hence, I encourage every young girl to dream big and aim for the success she wishes to fulfill.
Furthermore, I hope that the world takes the career for every woman in sport, especially an Arab hijabi women, that we are all equal in terms of opportunities and dreams, no matter what our differences are or look like. The beauty of this world is that while we are all different, it make us who we are as individuals to strive better.
How has Adidas supported you on this journey?
Mariam Farid: adidas has really empowered, pushed, and gave me opportunities for my talent and identity to the rest of the world.
Through its long-standing brand attitude that Impossible Is Nothing, adidas has pushed the boundaries and is allowing athletes that are Arab, Qatari, hijabi and female to be part of conversations that are purpose-led.
Everything that I am and believe in, I find it within the brand attitude of adidas, especially as we come together to empower women in sports. Whilst there are stereotypes that might seem to be inevitable to break down, together with adidas, we are making the change with campaigns, especially with “Running Needs Nothing But You”.
Being featured alongside well-renowned faces, especially Mo Salah and female Arab hijabi runner, Khadija Hegazy, you see the change adidas is trying to make.
What message would you like to deliver to the young people of Qatar who look to you as an example?
Mariam Farid: My biggest message that I will always live by is, Impossible Is Nothing.
My advice is to girls my age and younger is to always dream big and aim for things that you love. This is because, the moment you do something you love, it will not only come from the heart, but it will help you grow and learn new things along the way.
Show the world that whatever you strive for, you are an independent and determined women that will be celebrated in the best way in your culture.