Breaking barriers: Saudi women to make Olympic debut

Riyadh shares list of potential athletes for London Games.


Agencies March 20, 2012

BERLIN:


Saudi Arabia looks set to send women athletes to the Olympics for the first time later this year.


Saudi Arabia, Brunei and Qatar have never previously included females in their teams and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is eager to see that situation change in London in July.

The IOC said on Monday that Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee officials presented a list of potential candidates for the London Games during a meeting at its headquarters in Lausanne last week.

“After the assessment of the level of each athlete by the IOC and the international federations concerned, a formal proposal will be submitted to the next meeting of the IOC executive board in Quebec City in May,” it said in a statement.

“The IOC is confident Saudi Arabia is working to include women athletes and officials at the Olympic Games in London in accordance with the rules of the international federations.”

Human Rights Watch criticised Olympic organisers last month for what it said was their tolerance of gender discrimination by Saudi Arabia and Qatar, as well as Brunei.

Qatar, bidding to host the 2020 Games, said last month it would send female athletes to the Olympics for the first time.

The list includes four athletes, according to an Olympic official. At least three female officials are also being considered for inclusion in the Saudi delegation.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 20th, 2012.

COMMENTS (4)

Amir | 11 years ago | Reply

Saudis are still better then many othert so called muslims

Hassan A | 11 years ago | Reply

you mean stone throwing competition?

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