Sarah Attar has become the first Saudi Arabian woman to compete in track and field at the Olympics.

The 19 year old smiled and waved when her name was announced before the race.

Attar ran the women's 800 meters, finishing last in heat 6 of qualifying. She finished the race in 2.44.95 minutes while competing in a white head cover, full black leggings, and a green, long sleeve shirt.

Despite falling nearly 45 seconds behind the heat winner, the dual Saudi-U.S. citizen got a huge applause from the stadium crowd.

Attar told BBC Radio 5 Live that she hopes her Olympic performance inspires other Saudi women.

"It was such a unique opportunity, they invited me and welcomed me and to make that first step for women is just the most amazing feeling ever," she said.

Judokan Wodjan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shahrkhani, a judo competitor, is the only other female participant for the Saudis at the London 2012 Games.

During the opening ceremony, Attar and Shahrkhani, walked behind their male teammates, unlike delegations from other Islamic nations.

Critics still accuse the country of creating a "PR sheen" and question the progress of women's rights in the Arab nation.