Saudi Arabian Women To Compete At Games
Saudi Arabian women will be allowed to compete in the Olympics at London 2012 for the first time after the Royal Family finally bowed to pressure and endorsed their participation.
A statement released by the Saudi Embassy in London said that the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee will oversee participation of women athletes who can qualify for the first time since they made their debut in the Games at Munich in 1972.
The only Saudi female competitor at London 2012 is expected to be showjumper Dalma Rushdi Malhas, who competed at the Summer Youth Olympics in Singapore two years ago under an International Olympic Committee (IOC) flag – winning a bronze.
However, IOC President Jacques Rogge made it clear last month that he would only allow Saudi women to compete under their own country’s flag.
Some campaigners had urged Rogge to ban the country from the Games until it allowed Saudi women athletes to compete – on the grounds that sexual discrimination is not permitted under the Olympic Charter.
The decision, backed by the Saudi ruler, King Abdullah, was reportedly taken 10 days ago but the announcement was delayed due to the death of the Saudi heir to the throne, Crown Prince Nayef.
Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Brunei have never had a female athlete at the Olympics – although Qatar has announced it will send a three-woman team to London and Brunei are expected to include 400 metres hurdler Maziah Mahusin as part of their team of two for the Games.
