For generations, U.S. Olympic athletes have proudly worn the American flag—a symbol of independence, patriotism, and revolution. At the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, American saber fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad embodied all three qualities. Wearing this mask over her hijab, the traditional head covering of Muslim women, she became the first Muslim American athlete to compete in a headscarf and the first Muslim American woman to earn an Olympic medal.
Fencing mask worn by Ibtihaj Muhammad during the 2016 Rio Olympic Games
Object Details
- date made
- 2016
- user
- Muhammad, Ibtihaj
- Description (Brief)
- Fencing mask worn by Ibtihaj Muhammad during the 2016 Rio Olympic Games has a metal mesh face piece painted with an image of the American flag and lined in red. Muhammad is an American saber fencer and is the first Muslim American woman to wear a hajib while competing for the United States in Olympic competition. USA Fencing won the bronze medal in the team competition that year, earning Muhammad the distinction of becoming the first female Muslim-American athlete to earn a medal at the Olympics. Seeking a sport that would allow Muhammad to wear her hajib, she found fencing while in high school. At Duke University she became a three time All-American and a Junior Olympic Champion in 2005. A member of the U.S. National Fencing Team since 2010, Muhammad has had to work through discrimination, both religious and racial throughout her career but now uses her global platform to speak about inclusion and equality through sport.
- The 2016 Summer Olympics, also known as the Games of the XXXI Olympiad were held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with 207 countries and 11,238 athletes participating. These were the first Olympic Games held entirely in the host country’s winter season and the first to be held in South America. These Games were designed with sustainability in mind and many of the features of the Games were made from recyclable materials. The Refugee Olympic Team entered 10 athletes for competition made up of refugees from the European Migrant crisis. The Zika virus was a factor in competition as many athletes decided to forgo the Games for fear of catching the virus spread through mosquitos. Michael Phelps came out of retirement to compete in the Games and added more medals to his historic count. Katie Ledecky won four gold medals and teammate Simone Manual won two gold and two silver medals becoming the first African American to win an individual swimming gold medal. Simone Biles dominated gymnastics, winning four gold and the women’s team won the all-around competition. The United States won the medal count with 121.
- name of sport
- Fencing
- level of sport
- Amateur
- Olympics
- web subject
- Women
- See more items in
- Culture and the Arts: Sport and Leisure
- Sports & Leisure
- Religion
- Exhibition
- Entertainment Nation
- Exhibition Location
- National Museum of American History
- Credit Line
- Gift of Ibtihaj Muhammad
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
- ID Number
- 2016.0350.03
- accession number
- 2016.0350
- catalog number
- 2016.0350.03
- Object Name
- fencing mask
- fencing mask, summer olympics
- Physical Description
- metal (overall material)
- plastic (overall material)
- fabric, cotton (overall material)
- fabric, metal (overall material)
- fabric, polyester (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 15 in x 9 in x 9 1/2 in; 38.1 cm x 22.86 cm x 24.13 cm
- Record ID
- nmah_1823419