Gambia’s sprint queen Gina Mariam Bass is performing Hajj in the Holy City of Mecca, marking a year since she reverted to Islam.

Bass, the most decorated athlete in Gambian history, embraced Islam in 2023 ahead of her marriage to her coach, Mustapha Bittaye. The couple previously performed Umrah together in March this year.

Now among the country’s most recognised sporting figures, Bass continues to make headlines both on and off the track.

She holds the national 100m record at 10.93 seconds — the first Gambian to break the 11-second barrier.