Saudi Arabia sent no woman athletes to the Olympics

[soupkitchen]

So the Bush campaign has to audacity to credit itself for creating more free nations to compete in the Olympics while the Bushco's very own good buddies the Saudi Arabians still openly discriminate against women on the international stage.
Do you believe in freedom for all, Mr.Bush, or do you believe your good buddies, the Saudis, have the right to limit opportunities for women?

[Lefty48197]

1. Have you ever tried to play basketball in a burkah?

they'd sweat to death!

[DBoon]

2. Weight lifting?

They get in practice carrying large heavy objects for the males of the clan?

[Nikia]

3. I believe that clothing is a big objection

I read somewhere that they do have an Islamic athletic festival where women are allowed to compete but no men are allowed to around.
Most sports require somewhat revealing clothing, at least according to their standards. I have seen female athletes at some religious schools have more restrictive clothing: knee length shorts, longer sleeves, and other slightly more restrictive clothing. For the Saudis brand of Islam though that type of clothing is even too revealing.

[muriel_volestrangler]

6. I saw a muslim woman running the 100m in headscarf

and full body suit (figure hugging, but covering everything). I think she was from Brunei.

I seem to remember Iran had some women competing in the archery some years ago, almost in full burqa.

Bahrain had to include a woman in its team in Sydney (the rule was something like at least 20% of the team should be women - with 3 men in the team, they were told they needed one woman). They chose a 12 year old girl to swim (girls aren't required to cover up as much as women). It was the first time she had competed in any swimming competition. Sadly, Fatima Gerashi was disqualified in a very strict interpretation of the rules.

[demosincebirth]

4. My exact thought

Also, kind of hard to do the high jump.

[Retrograde]

5. shooting

Islamic nations - Iran, IIRC - have sent women to compete in the past to compete in the shooting events, at least in the past: haven't been paying much attention this year. And they competed in their very conservative dress.