It seems the Arabian world has reduced its strigent rules guiding female participation in social activities such as sports. Saudi Arabia will let its female athletes compete in the Olympics for the first time, its embassy in London said. OMG Nigeria gathered that Saudi Arabia was one of three countries that did not allow women to participate in the games. The other two: Qatar and Brunei, also reversed course this year and said they will send athletes to the London games that begin July 27.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia wishes to reaffirm its support for the sublime meanings reflected by Olympic Games and the cherished values of excellence, friendship and respect that they represent,” the Saudi embassy in London said in a statement, announcing its decision. The International Olympic Committee had been pressing Saudi Arabia to allow women to compete and act as officials, and said in March that talks were going well. Getting to the Games London’s transport ahead of the Games Training during the Arab Spring, “IOC is confident that Saudi Arabia is working to include women athletes and officials at the Olympic Games in London in accordance with the International Federations’ rules,” the committee said March 19. The decision is a rare concession for a kingdom where women are banned from driving.
They also cannot vote or hold public office, though that will change in 2015. Women in Saudi Arabia also cannot marry, leave the country, go to school or open bank accounts without permission from a male guardian, who usually is the father or husband. Much of public life is segregated by gender.
When it came to sports, female athletes were barred from the Olympic games because they would be participating in front of a mixed-gender crowd.
The Saudi embassy did not say what prompted the kingdom to change its mind. Officials in Saudi Arabia could not immediately be reached for comment.
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