RIO DE JANEIRO -- Ibtihaj Muhammad has used her profile as an Olympian to try to change misconceptions others might have about Muslim-Americans.On Monday, shell become the first U.S. athlete to wear a hijab during the Olympics -- and a medal in fencing isnt out of the question either.Muhammad, ranked eighth in the world in her weapon, will open individual womens sabre competition against Olena Kravatska of Ukraine.I feel like this is a great opportunity and a great moment for Team USA to even be more diverse than we have in the past, and Im just looking forward to representing myself, my community and also my country, Muhammad said.Muhammad, a New Jersey native who started fencing in part because the uniform allowed her to adhere to the tenets of her faith, first made headlines when she qualified for the Olympics this year.Muhammad subsequently became one of the biggest faces of the U.S. team, appearing on talk shows all over the country while garnering attention not often showered on fencers.I wish that, not just my life, but the lives of Muslims all over the world were a little bit easier, particularly in the United States. Im hoping that with my first-time appearance as a member of Team USA here at the Olympics, Im hoping that the rhetoric around the Muslim community will change, Muhammad said after arriving in Rio de Janeiro last week.As far as the piste goes, Muhammad might just be peaking at the right time.Muhammad, a three-time NCAA All-American at Duke, has had a slow but steady rise to the top of the sabre community. She has moved from 12th to eighth in the world standings in 2016 and won gold at the Pan American Championships in Panama in June.Muhammad also won bronze medals in recent World Cups in Greece and France, and the Olympic fencing tournament has so far been kind to underdogs.The first two gold medalists were ranked seventh and 11th in the world, respectively.Being in this moment, Muhammad said, Im just very appreciative and thankful that I get to not just to do this for myself because its been a lot of hard work, but hopefully in turn do this for other people all around the world. Cheap Steelers Jerseys . Instead of dwelling on the negative, Oates focused on what was good about the clubs recent play. It worked. Steelers Jerseys China . Already owning gold from competition in Vancouver in 2010, Loch posted a combined four-run time of 3:27.526. That included a track-record third run of 51. http://www.cheapsteelersjerseysauthentic.com/ . But the quarterback hopes to stay involved in football after officially calling it quits Tuesday. "Id love to look at those opportunities as they arise," Pierce said in an interview from his Winnipeg eatery. Cheap Hines Ward Jersey . -- The Bishops Gaiters are showing they belong among the countrys top varsity football teams. Authentic Mason Rudolph Jersey . Batiste, who briefly signed with the Eskimos in 2006, has spent time with several NFL teams including the Pittsburgh Steelers and Washington Redskins. OXNARD, Calif. -- Dallas Cowboys tight end James Hanna will have knee surgery that puts his availability for the Sept. 11 season opener against the New York Giants in jeopardy, according to multiple sources.Hanna was placed on the physically unable to perform list at the start of training camp with a bone bruise. He has sought multiple opinions and has opted for the surgery.Because the Cowboys put Hanna on the active/PUP list when camp began, he is eligible to be placed on the reserve/PUP list when the final cuts are made. If the Cowboys opt for that route, he would miss the first six games of the season and be able to return Oct. 30 against the Philadelphia Eagles.Hanna has developed into a solid No. 2 tight end behind Jason Witten. He signed a three-year deal as a free agent to remain with the Cowboys in the offseason. In four seasons he has 33 catches for 286 yards and has started 29 games.ddddddddddddWith Hanna out, that helps the chances of Gavin Escobar and Geoff Swaim of finalizing a spot on the 53-man roster. Escobar is returning from a torn Achilles late last season, while Swaim has had a solid camp, although he dropped two passes in the preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams.Rookie receiver Chris Brown suffered a broken foot in Mondays practice that will require surgery. Brown was taken off the practice field Monday on a cart. Depending on the severity of the surgery, Brown is looking at a recovery period of six to eight weeks, which means he could see his rookie season end before it really begins. ' ' '