The last place that meant more than any medal.
She was coming last, 150 metres from the finish line and almost 44 seconds behind the winner.
But the crowd's focus was set on Sarah Attar in the women's 800m heat, who was living out a historic moment that had nothing to do with gold, silver or bronze.
"It is the hugest honour to be here to represent the women of Saudi Arabia. It is an historic moment. I hope it will make a difference. It is a huge step forward. It's a really incredible experience."
As US runner Alice Schmidt told AP: "She carried the weight of Saudi Arabia's women on her shoulders."
http://www.smh.com.au/olympics/athletics-london-2012/the-last-place-that-meant-more-than-any-medal-20120809-23vb8.html
Of course, it was a show only - coming in 44 secs. behind the winner is testimony to the fact that she wouldn't have been able to train properly or compete in her home country. But it is one tiny, baby step towards emancipation for Saudi Arabian women.
It makes me want to cry, that in such a wealthy country, women are still leading lives that western women left behind centuries ago. We are so blessed in so many ways that we take for granted.
We can only pray for the day when they are able to compete on equal ground.
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and I would have come in 44 minutes behind the winner....just sayin'. 
A "relatively healthy" person of either sex would literally have to crawl to come in 44 minutes behind - honestly. 
Four minutes I would have let go.
It is very controversial, but I still salute the athletes who chose to compete - they are very brave women.
