Kulsoom Abdullah has won her battle to wear the hijab while competing.
After a lengthy campaign to change the sport's rules surrounding what athletes can wear in competition, the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) have now approved new guidelines to give women the option of covering their arms and legs.
And under the new advice female competitors who wish to cover up can wear a one-piece full-body unitard signalling a massive victory for the Georgia Tech graduate.
Weighing in: Kulsoom Abdullah appeared on NBC News Atlanta to discuss the historic
victory to convince the International Weightlifting Federation to change it's dress code
It was the USOC that urged the IWF to make the change during a meeting in Malaysia earlier this week.
Now Abdullah, who competes in the women's senior weightlifting division, can enter national competitions after she was barred because she insisted on covering most of her body, as her religion dictates.
Weighty issue: Kulsoom Abdullah sets up her weights, she has persuaded the
international weightlifting body to change its dress code for women
Weight lifted: Kulsoom Abdullah will now be able to compete after rules over what she
can wear in competition have been changed to allow her to cover up
'The one advantage to all of this is that it raised a lot of awareness. I hope it [the changes] will help with other sports that other [Muslim] women participate in.
'I think it would just be nice that in any sport, if there's a lady who covers her arms and legs - they could still be involved.'
The Atlanta woman had argued her case before the USOC and provided a video which showed alternative attire that a Muslim woman could wear.
The IWF said issues similar to those raised by Abdullah had been circulating within the sport's governing body.
IWF President Tamas Ajan said: 'This rule modification has been considered in the spirit of fairness, equality and inclusion.'
Abdullah said she will begin training and will register for an upcoming Iowa weightlifting competition she thought she would not be able to enter.
Born in the U.S. to Pakistani parents, Abdullah competes in the 48kg (about 106 pounds) and 53kg (about 117 pounds) weight class.
She began weightlifting as an exercise routine a few years ago and said: 'It was just something for fun. It gave me something to achieve as a goal.'
She then teamed up with a trainer and set her sights on competing, training five to six days a week and entering competitions last year in Flowery Branch, Newnan, Gainesville, Savannah and South Carolina.
Abdullah, who moved to Atlanta from Florida in 1999, said she covered her body during local competitions and met no resistance from local weightlifting officials.
A spokesman for the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations added: 'We welcome this important decision in support of greater inclusion in athletic competition and urge the representatives of other international bodies to take similar steps.
'We thank the United States Olympic Committee for helping to empower Muslim women athletes and for taking a stand in support of the American tradition of religious diversity.'
Abdullah is among other female athletes who are Muslim and have been blocked from national and international competition because of their insistance on modest dress.
Iran's women's soccer team was recently disqualified during an Olympic qualifying competition against Jordan after athletes wore a full-body outfit with a head scarf.
As a result, they will not be allowed to compete in London.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2010277/Muslim-weightlifter-Kulsoom-Abdullah-wins-fight-wear-hijab-competition.html#ixzz1R3tJllIS
