Australia's judo head coach endorses a ruling that has outlawed Saudi judoka Wojdan Shaherkani from wearing the hijab head scarf during the Olympic competition in London.
The 18-year-old heavyweight is one of the first two female athletes the Islamic monarchy has ever sent to a Games and like the other - the American-raised 800 metres runner Sarah Attar - was included in the Saudi party on the proviso she adhere to sharia law dress code. That includes a hijab or headscarf.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) had pushed for Saudi Arabia to break with their long-standing position of not sending women to compete at the Olympics and with the addition of female athletes from Qatar and Brunei for the first time as well, all member countries have now included women in teams.The Saudis' acquiescence was reached only a fortnight ago but according to their ultra-conservative terms, with their top sports official Prince Nawaf bin Faisal saying the two women in their delegation must have the permission of their father and compete ''wearing suitable clothing that complies with sharia''.
The Saudi regime enforces non-flexible restrictions on women, hence their reticence to bend at the Olympics.
''There must also be no mixing with men during the Games,'' Prince Faisal had told the Al-Jazirah newspaper.
''The athlete and her guardian must pledge not to break these conditions.''
He also insisted female athletes be accompanied by a male guardian at all times.
The Saudi dress stipulations could see their other athlete, 19-year-old Attar, run at the Olympic Stadium with her head, legs and arms covered when the women's 800m event is held on August 8 and 9.
In many respects I sort of wish the two women would be forced to wear the burka while competing then the world at large would witness just how damn stupid Sharia Law really is.
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