UAE's Safia al Sayegh retires from professional cycling due to her religious beliefs: 'In obedience to Allah'

"I want to share the news of my retirement from cycling with everyone who has followed me as a cyclist over the past 10 years," she begins her post on social media. "The past few years have been mentally tough—not because the sport is tough, but because I found myself in an identity crisis."

"I am a Muslim woman who fully believes in covering up and dressing modestly, and a girl who simply loved cycling, biking, and sports. This year, in obedience to Allah and the rules of my religion regarding women’s clothing, I finally made the decision to stop.”

"Little Safiya is incredibly proud of what she has become—all thanks to Allah, of course. With the support of my parents, family, friends, and the community that has supported me from all over the world. A huge thank you to each and every one of you. I’d also like to thank Team UAE: over the past five seasons, their professional racing experience has allowed me to push my limits for my country."

"I've been thinking deeply for a while about how I want to be remembered, and I hope it will be for my good manners, a smile, doing my best to spread joy among the people around me, and as a Muslim woman who did her very best everywhere in the world to show how beautiful Islam is and that it is a religion of peace, balance, and obedience to our Creator, Allah.”

"I am proud to have represented my country and to have given it my all at every stage of my career, but what feels wrong deep in my heart cannot continue this way," she concludes.