Saudi Women to debut at London Olympics

Sarah Attar

The world will see two Saudi Arabian female athletes at the London 2012 Olympics.

This morning the  International Olympic Committee announced Judoka Wodjan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shahrkhani, who will compete in the 78 kilogram category, and runner Sarah Attar will take part in the 800 metres.

Saudi Arabia is accustomed to sending male-only teams but for the first time ever two Saudi women will compete at the Olympics. IOC President Jacques Rogge says they have been working very closely with the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee and and they finally agreed. The athletes, invited by the IOC, were entered by the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee by the official deadline of 9 July.


Rogge says this now means that by London 2012 every National Olympic Committee will have sent women to the Olympic Games.

This is definitely a step in the right direction. I think the fact one of the ladies is a track athlete, is an added bonus for track. Looking forward to seeing her lace up for the two lap event come August.