<p>Pakistan runner Rabia Ishaq will be motivated by the memory of a dead friend and colleague when she appears as one of her nation’s two female athletes at the London Olympics. <br /><br /></p>.<p>The 20-year-old, who competes in the 800 metre heats on Aug 8, fondly remembers Mubeen Akhtar -- one of the country’s top sprinters who died in June. <br /><br />“I am not a medal contender I know that but I want to dedicate my Olympic appearance to Mubeen who was a close friend and who always wished to compete in the Games,” Rabia told reporters. <br /><br />Mubeen, Pakistan’s fastest female sprinter this year when she won the 100 and 200 metre, died after a freak accident at her home. Her family said she tripped down the stairs and sustained serious head injuries and died later. <br /><br />“She was overjoyed when I got a wildcard entry for the Olympics. Mubeen is the motivation for me to try to do well in my event. I want to make her, my coach Bushra Parveen and my country proud of me.”</p>
<p>Pakistan runner Rabia Ishaq will be motivated by the memory of a dead friend and colleague when she appears as one of her nation’s two female athletes at the London Olympics. <br /><br /></p>.<p>The 20-year-old, who competes in the 800 metre heats on Aug 8, fondly remembers Mubeen Akhtar -- one of the country’s top sprinters who died in June. <br /><br />“I am not a medal contender I know that but I want to dedicate my Olympic appearance to Mubeen who was a close friend and who always wished to compete in the Games,” Rabia told reporters. <br /><br />Mubeen, Pakistan’s fastest female sprinter this year when she won the 100 and 200 metre, died after a freak accident at her home. Her family said she tripped down the stairs and sustained serious head injuries and died later. <br /><br />“She was overjoyed when I got a wildcard entry for the Olympics. Mubeen is the motivation for me to try to do well in my event. I want to make her, my coach Bushra Parveen and my country proud of me.”</p>