MAIL ONLINE: • Wodjan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shahrkhani will compete in judo while runner Sarah Attar will run 800m • Sarah Attar: 'I hope it can really make some big strides for [Saudi] women to get more involved in sport' • The Gulf kingdom will also include female officials in their Olympic delegation for the first time • Strict rules include dressing modestly, being accompanied by a male guardian at all times and not mixing with men during the Games
Saudi Arabia will send two female athletes to the London Olympics, ending the ultraconservative Muslim country's record of sending only all-male teams to the games.
Wodjan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shahrkhani will compete in the +78kg judo competition while runner Sarah Attar will be at the start line for the 800m at the Olympic Stadium.
The Gulf kingdom will also include female officials in their Olympic delegation for the first time, one of the officials said.
While in previous Games, men have been able to wear shorts and singlets, the women will almost certainly have to compete with their heads, legs and arms covered - and most likely in leggings.
Speaking from her training base in the US, Sarah Attar said: 'It's such a huge honour and I hope that it can really make some big strides for women over there to get more involved in sport.'
Competing in the Olympics is such a huge step for women in Saudi Arabia, they are happy to abide by the strict caveats laid out by their country's leaders.
These include dressing modestly, being accompanied by a male guardian at all times and never mixing with men during the Games, Prince Nawaf bin Faisal told the Al-Jazirah newspaper. » | Matt Blake | Thursday, July 12, 2012
