Saudi judoka set to battle as hijab dispute resolved
Source: AFP |
August 1, 2012, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
SAUDI Arabia judoka Wojdan Shaherkani was given the go-ahead yesterday to fight at the Olympics after a row over the wearing of a hijab was resolved, the International Olympic Committee said.
The Saudis had threatened to pull the fighter out of the Games if she was forced to compete with her head uncovered. However, a compromise had been found.
"We can confirm the International Judo Federation (IJF) and the Saudi National Olympic Committee, under the auspices of the IOC, have reached an agreement whereby the athlete can compete," said a spokeswoman. "The judo federation will allow her to wear something on her head which will not compromise her safety and which I think they use for competitions in Asia. It is a solution that is acceptable to all parties."
The 18-year-old heavyweight, part of a two-woman team sent from the conservative kingdom to an Olympics for the first time, was last week ordered by IJF President Marius Vizer to step onto the mat with her head uncovered.
Judo applies strict safety rules and any covering on the head is deemed to present a risk to the fighter's health.
Saudi Arabia only agreed to send a women's team to London on condition that its two athletes respect a strict dress code.
American-raised 800m runner Sarah Attar is the second woman in the Saudi squad in London. She appears without a headscarf in her official London 2012 photo.
The Saudis had threatened to pull the fighter out of the Games if she was forced to compete with her head uncovered. However, a compromise had been found.
"We can confirm the International Judo Federation (IJF) and the Saudi National Olympic Committee, under the auspices of the IOC, have reached an agreement whereby the athlete can compete," said a spokeswoman. "The judo federation will allow her to wear something on her head which will not compromise her safety and which I think they use for competitions in Asia. It is a solution that is acceptable to all parties."
The 18-year-old heavyweight, part of a two-woman team sent from the conservative kingdom to an Olympics for the first time, was last week ordered by IJF President Marius Vizer to step onto the mat with her head uncovered.
Judo applies strict safety rules and any covering on the head is deemed to present a risk to the fighter's health.
Saudi Arabia only agreed to send a women's team to London on condition that its two athletes respect a strict dress code.
American-raised 800m runner Sarah Attar is the second woman in the Saudi squad in London. She appears without a headscarf in her official London 2012 photo.
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