A living hub for the people of Palestine — those who shaped it, and those who stood with it.

Suggest a profile
Portrait of Mayada Al-Sayad

Mayada Al-Sayad

Trailblazing Palestinian marathon runner

Born
26 October 1992
Born in
Berlin, Germany
Path
Sports
Read Mayada’s story2 videosAsk about Mayada

Why Mayada is here

Renowned for representing Palestine in international marathon competitions, including the Olympics, and inspiring Palestinian athletes globally.

Their story

Mayada Al-Sayad is a German-born Palestinian long-distance runner who has gained international recognition for her athletic achievements. She competed in the marathon at the 2015 World Championships and the 2016 Rio Olympics, where she was the flag bearer for Palestine. Her dedication to representing Palestine on the world stage has made her a significant figure in Palestinian sports.

In pictures

Milestones

The moments that shaped Mayada’s path.

  1. 1992

    Born in Berlin

    Mayada Al-Sayad was born to a Palestinian father and a German mother, which gave her dual citizenship and the opportunity to represent Palestine in athletics.

  2. 2015

    Competed in the 2015 World Championships

    Participated in the marathon event at the World Championships in Beijing, finishing 50th and bringing visibility to Palestinian athletes on a global platform.

    Read more

  3. 2016

    Flag Bearer at 2016 Rio Olympics

    Carried Palestine’s flag at the opening ceremony and finished 67th in the marathon in 2:42:28.

  4. 2017

    Season Best in 2017 World Championships

    Achieved a season's best time of 2:54:58 in the marathon at the World Championships held in London, further establishing her as a leading Palestinian athlete.

  5. Continued Athletic Pursuits

    Besides marathons, Al-Sayad has competed in various long-distance running events, continually improving her performance and inspiring many in Palestine and beyond.

    Watch

Legacy

What they built, changed and left behind.

  1. Representation on International Stage

    As a marathon runner representing Palestine at major international competitions, Al-Sayad has brought significant attention to Palestinian athletes and their potential on the world stage.

    Watch

  2. Inspiration for Palestinian Youth

    Her achievements and visibility in global sports inspire young Palestinians, particularly women, to pursue athletics and dream beyond the confines of their socio-political challenges.

  3. Promotion of Palestinian Identity

    By competing under the Palestinian flag and carrying it at the Olympics, Al-Sayad has promoted Palestinian identity and pride, showcasing the nation’s talents and resilience.

  4. Highlighting Palestinian Issues

    Through her participation in international events, she has brought global attention to the challenges faced by Palestinian athletes, such as limited training facilities and support.

  5. Paving the Way for Future Athletes

    As one of the few Palestinian athletes to compete at the Olympics and other world championships, Al-Sayad has paved the way for future generations of Palestinian athletes to follow in her footsteps.

Ask about Mayada

Curious about something? An AI guide answers from Mayada’s profile.

Mayada’s guide AI

Answers come from Mayada’s profile on this page. It isn’t Mayada, and it can make mistakes.

What would you like to know about Mayada?

Ask in your own words about Mayada’s early life, work, the moments that shaped them, or their legacy. The guide answers only from this profile, so if something isn’t covered, it will tell you.

AI-generated from this profile. Spotted something wrong? Correct or add information.

Watch & listen

Mayada in interviews, talks and coverage.

  • 01Continued Athletic Pursuits↗

  • 02Representation on International Stage↗

Further reading

Something wrong or missing?

Help improve Mayada Al-Sayad’s profile. Send a correction, a source, a photo or missing information. An editor checks every update before publication.

Correct or add information

Keep exploring

More faces from Sports

All 20 in Sports