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Eugene

(67,345 posts) Sun Jun 24, 2012, 07:18 PM Jun 2012

London 2012 Olympics: Saudis allow women to compete [View all]

Source: BBC

24 June 2012 Last updated at 17:00 GMT

By Frank Gardner
BBC News

Saudi Arabia is to allow its women athletes to compete in the Olympics for the first time.

A statement from the Saudi Embassy in London says the country's Olympic Committee will "oversee participation of women athletes who can qualify".

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 fiercely opposed by many Saudi religious conservatives.

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Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-18571193

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London 2012 Olympics: Saudis allow women to compete [View all] Eugene Jun 2012 OP

Ever seen Islamic women's swim wear? MADem Jun 2012 #1

Christ Scairp Jun 2012 #4

It is made of the same material as men's swimsuits, pretty much. MADem Jun 2012 #6

Wow. Hardly seems like a swim would even cool one down that much treestar Jun 2012 #27

The material looks kind of space age--I think it dries quickly. MADem Jun 2012 #28

Seems like that would have a lot of drag 4th law of robotics Jun 2012 #29

Full body Spandex Jimbo S Jun 2012 #9

Those full body suits that help reduce drag are not "Islamic" though. MADem Jun 2012 #12

How? Not very well Freddie Stubbs Jun 2012 #23

Have you seen what female runners wear these days? tclambert Jun 2012 #16

I wonder why the males don't shed their excess fabric, too? Is it a conspiracy or a uniform rule? MADem Jun 2012 #17

It's not about the weight of the garment, it's about freedom of motion and comfort mathematic Jun 2012 #22

Speedos for everyone! That'll make it interesting! MADem Jun 2012 #24

Yes, there are few sports they can compete in treestar Jun 2012 #21

I do not know how "OK" it will be for television--at least if those legs are visible, even clothed! MADem Jun 2012 #25

That must be interesting to see treestar Jun 2012 #26

You don't see a lot of women on TV, and when you do they're veiled. You'll see the face if they MADem Jun 2012 #31

That's some crazy stuff there treestar Jun 2012 #37

And if she floats.... PavePusher Jun 2012 #38

I know a ton of Saudi women who toss off the veils as soon as they hit altitude in the plane. MADem Jun 2012 #34

I used to have a sports habib too, maindawg Jun 2012 #2

What is a "sports HABIB?" MADem Jun 2012 #7

This is utter bullshit Scairp Jun 2012 #3

Interesting. I wonder if they will pull her before she competes or if she will get "sick" at the IndyJones Jun 2012 #5

Didn't take long: apparently, her horse is injured muriel_volestrangler Jun 2012 #36

What are you talking about? The IOC isn't preventing any Saudi woman from competing. MADem Jun 2012 #8

Half-woman? The East Germans used to do that all the time! tclambert Jun 2012 #15

This is good news. It is wonderful for women's health to be free JDPriestly Jun 2012 #10

I can't seem to connect to the article. What is meant by half a woman? JDPriestly Jun 2012 #11

Nothing in the article about that. MADem Jun 2012 #13

Thanks. JDPriestly Jun 2012 #20

A half jewish person would be someone with one jewish parent and one not-jewish parent 4th law of robotics Jun 2012 #30

I see what you did there.... PavePusher Jun 2012 #39

I feel as though there may be a catch somewhere. Left Coast2020 Jun 2012 #14

Well, the horsewoman has already competed in shows--she's not new to competition. MADem Jun 2012 #18

Baby steps. Posteritatis Jun 2012 #19

This is true. You've got to be prepared to take twenty lashes if you are a woman and "dare" to MADem Jun 2012 #32

Meanwhile, in olympic rival Iran, prohibition remains a slam dunk may3rd Jun 2012 #33

Abejo....aka beer. The Iranians used to make a fairly decent one. And the Armenians used to MADem Jun 2012 #35