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Saudi Arabia to allow women to compete in Olympics for first time |
Saudi Arabia will allow its women athletes to compete in the Olympics for the first
time. According to The BBC, a statement from the Saudi Embassy in London said
the country's Olympic Committee will 'oversee the participation of women athletes
who can qualify'. Saudi officials said there could be scope for women to compete,
if they would be dressed 'to preserve their dignity'. In practice, this means
to dress modestly with loose-fitting garments and 'a sports hijab', a scarf covering
the hair, but not the face. The decision to allow women to compete in the Olympics
is a huge step for the country, overturning deep-rooted opposition from those
opposed to any public role for women. The only female competitor from the country
for the Olympics is showjumper Dalma Rushdi Malhas. The decision will end recent
speculation as to whether the entire Saudi team could have been disqualified on
grounds of gender discrimination. The public participation of women in sport is
still opposed by many Saudi religious conservatives.
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