Under pressure from the IOC, Saudi Arabia (SA) cautiously took a step into the 20^th century (yes, I realize it’s actually the 21^st century; that doesn’t change the fact that SA is only stepping into the 20^th), deciding to allow two Saudi Arabian women to participate in the Olympics for the first time in the nation’s history. In other Olympic female firsts, Qatar and Brunei are also allowing women to compete for the first time, with Qatar even planning to allow a woman to carry their flag. In the United States, women outnumber men on the Olympic team for the first time.

The SA decision, though historic, is not as meaningful as it appears. First, the kingdom, predominantly adhering to the austere Wahabbist branch of Islam, remains ultra conservative in its treatment of and restrictions on women. Second, the two women competing in the Games do not live in SA and have little connection to those women struggling for the freedom to participate openly in sports within the kingdom’s confines. Third, though making news around the world, the announcement received no coverage in the official SA media, perhaps indicating how little it means within the nation itself.

For the trip to the London Olympics, Sarah Attar will run the 800 meter and Wodjan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shahrkhani will compete in judo. For these two women, I wish the following: a wonderful experience in London, an appreciation of the historic nature of their participation, personal bests in their individual performances, an avoidance of any negative backlash from their male Olympic counterparts, and the ability to open doors, even if just the slightest crack, for their fellow female SA athletes.

Sources:

http://shine.yahoo.com/team-mom/saudi-arabia-send-two-women-olympics-first-female-183900294.html

http://sports.nationalpost.com/2012/07/13/saudi-arabias-inclusion-of-women-in-olympics-still-a-double-edged-sword/

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/saudi/analyses/wahhabism.html