Where is the army of hypocrites feminists standing behind this young woman, demanding her freedom from Islamic bondage? They must be way too busy still hand-wringing over Romney's binders.
"African swimmer, 18, claims asylum after fleeing Olympic village to escape arranged marriage with a 60-year-old man" Daily Mail, January 14, 2012 (thanks to Danielle)
- Ayouba-Ali Sihame represented African island nation Comoros at the Games
- She fled after failing to qualify for the 100m freestyle semi-final
- Her mother had told her she was being sold and must quit sport
- She attempted to escape to France using a fake passport
Daily Mail
Afraid: Olympic swimmer Ayouba-Ali Sihame is to claim asylum amid fears that she will be killed if deported back to African island nation Comoros after fleeing the Olympic village at the London Games
An Olympian fears she will be killed if deported from Britain after living on the streets to escape an arranged marriage.
Swimmer Ayouba-Ali Sihame, 18, represented the tiny African island nation of Comoros during the London Games.
But she ended up in a prison cell after fleeing the athlete’s village in a desperate bid to avoid being wed to a twice-married 60-year-old man.
Her mother told her she was being sold and must give up her sporting career just days before she flew to London.
She said the sportswoman’s ‘celebrity’ status had pushed up her value in the poverty-stricken strict Islamic community.
Sihame, who has also represented her country at volleyball, walked out of the Olympic Park after failing to qualify for the 100 metre freestyle semi-finals and coming 48th overall.
She spent weeks living rough in the capital before travelling to Dover and attempting to hitch a lift and cross the Channel with a fake French passport.
But she was caught by French border control officers who spotted that she was not a woman named Mouniate Mhoussini.
Sihame faces being transferred to an immigration centre pending deportation within a fortnight after completing half an eight month prison sentence.
She fears for her life after her brother told her in a telephone conversation that she has brought ‘shame’ on the family.
He said: ‘Comoros is a strict Muslim country. Ayouba-Ali was beaten from time to time. ‘Ayouba-Ali was allowed to practice swimming, but she had to wear a full swimming costume and always be supervised by her brother. ‘She had gained celebrity status in Comoros – she was one of just seven athletes to come over for London 2012. ‘Her high profile meant her parents could get a higher price for her in marriage.
She was told if she did not take part in the marriage there would be violence or death. ‘And she was told that she would have to give up her swimming career when she was married. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2262315/African-swimmer-18-claimed-asylum-fleeing-Olympic-village-escape-arranged-marriage-60-year-old-man.html#ixzz2I0PAIaSu Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
