Saudi Arabia Allows Women in Olympics

Saudi Arabia announced Sunday that it would allow female athletes to compete in this summer’s Olympics—the first time the conservative country has allowed women to participate. There had been speculation recently that Saudi Arabia’s team could be disqualified on grounds of gender discrimination, and since the games are just weeks away, only one female competitor is set to make the team: show jumper Dalma Rushdi Malhas. Many in the religiously conservative country fiercely oppose women’s sports, and Saudi officials said that female atheletes will still be required to dress in a manner that will “preserve their dignity.”