WASHINGTON – In his final week in office, President Barack Obama appointed several women athletes to key Administration posts on Tuesday, including Ibtihaj Muhammad, the first Muslim athlete to represent the US in the Olympics in hijab.

“I am proud that such experienced and committed individuals have agreed to serve the American people in these important roles,” Obama said in a statement published on the White House website on Tuesday, January 17.

“I know they will serve the American people well.”

The decision added four Olympic medalists to the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition.

Gabby Douglas, Caitlin Cahow, Carli Lloyd and Ibtihaj Muhammad joined the council as members, which is co-chaired by Olympic gymnastics gold medalist Dominique Dawes and NFL quarterback Drew Brees.

Muhammad made history as the first US woman to compete at the Olympic Games wearing a hijab.

The team saber bronze medalist in Rio, she also serves on the US State Department’s Empowering Women and Girls Through Sport Initiative.

Currently ranked No. 8 in the world, Muhammad was a three-time All-American for Duke University and holds five world championship medals (one gold, four bronzes).