The Summer Olympics in London could be a watershed event in sports, as every country is expected to send female athletes to participate. In the past, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Brunei have only sent male athletes, according to the New York Times.
Saudi Arabia, a monarchy whose legal system is based on Islamic law, is considered the most significant of the three, given its size, international oil influence and severe restrictions placed on women in daily life. While female athletes from Qatar and Brunei have participated in national and regional competitions, Saudi Arabia has essentially barred sports for women, according to Human Rights Watch.
According to a recent Human Rights Watch report, women in Saudi Arabia are systematically discriminated against when it comes to sports. There is no physical education for girls in state schools, and gyms were closed for women in 2009 and 2010. So, while senior Human Rights Watch researcher Christoph Wilcke welcomes the participation, he notes that the International Olympic Committee should work toward more systemic change.
However, even this change might have effects beyond Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia’s sending of female athletes could put pressure on other countries with similar restrictions to do the same, said Martha F. Davis, a professor at Northeastern University School of Law.
“I think it’s a savvy move,” she said. “It’s trying to make sure there isn’t a groundswell of Arab Spring-like activities and being responsive to those yearnings to participate. It’s being proactive.”
Professor Erika George (S.J. Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah) noted that there may be some negative reactions as well.
“There are people who may think it’s inappropriate,” George said. “But there’s precedent for this. It’s going to be hard to argue that a woman can be an Olympic champion but not be behind the wheel.”
Comments 4
Fritz — March 22, 2012
How will Saudi Arabian women compete if they are permitted to play? They have had no opportunity to train, no sponsorship, no high caliber investment.
Personally, I don't understand how the Olympics can invite countries that do not value human rights to participate in the games.
Hollie Nyseth Brehm — March 22, 2012
Good points. It seems like even qualifying will be tough. The NYT article said:
"These athletes will most likely find it difficult or impossible to meet Olympic qualifying standards, given their lack of international experience. But the I.O.C. has long granted participation under special conditions to athletes from developing nations. And it is under significant pressure to make accommodations for Saudi women in London."
I wonder what other types of "special conditions" have resulted in the I.O.C. granting participation.
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