Heroic archer Arash paves way for Iran's Yasaman SHIRIAN

  Archer Yasaman SHIRIAN is part of a new breed of female athletes from Iran competing at the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games.   Yasaman says her choice of sport has helped supporters back home take an interest in her achievements. That is because of a character in Iranian folklore called Arash, an archer who according to Persian legend sacrificed his life during a battle to save his country.    "Everyone in Iran knows about archery because of Arash," she said.   The legend describes how Arash shot an arrow to settle a dispute over land, with the new border being determined by wherever the arrow landed.   "The story says that he put his whole life into the arrow so when he shot it he died. I hope that doesn't happen to me."   The 17-year-old from Tehran said Arash had helped her to be accepted as a sportswoman.   "It is still fairly new for Iranian women to be competing in sport," she said.   "In Beijing we had only three female athletes, but at the Youth Olympic Games we have more than 20 and I hope it will grow again for London 2012. It shows things are changing in my country and it makes me feel very strong to know I can help that."   SHIRIAN said her family's support had also been a huge help.   "They have given me lots of encouragement and told me to believe in myself. They are so proud I am at the Youth Olympic Games," she said.   SHIRIAN will be competing today in the junior women's individual competition at Kallang Field.   YONS ap/jc/nb Edited by World Archery Communication