Advertisement

London Olympics: Headscarf issue resolved for Saudi judo athlete

Share via

LONDON -- The bottom line: Wodjan Shahrkhani will be able to compete in the 78-kilogram judo event because of a compromise crafted between International Judo Federation officials and the Saudi Olympic Committee.

She is one of two Saudi female athletes selected for ground-breaking inclusion in the 2012 Games.

The issue in question was her required headscarf (hijab). The federation had been concerned about safety issues on the mat during the match.

PHOTOS: Muslim women make history

Advertisement

How the groups reached an accord was unclear, as no specifics about the compromise were offered.

On Tuesday, International Olympic Committee spokesman Mark Adams said in a briefing that an agreement had been reached about “a suitable head covering.”

Her father had been quoted in various reports as saying his 16-year-old daughter would not compete at the Olympics unless she was able to wear the hijab.

Advertisement

ALSO:

Zara Phillips, the queen’s granddaughter, earns a silver medal

Chinese doctor drags Michael Phelps into the doping speculation

Advertisement

American officials try not to inflame Ye Shiwen doping allegations

Advertisement