Olympic C’tee bars Saudi female athlete from wearing headscarf
LONDON, England (AFP) — Saudi Arabia have complained to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) after judo fighter Wojdan Shaherkani was banned from wearing the hijab headscarf during competition.
The 18-year-old heavyweight, a member of a two-woman team, who are the first female competitors sent from the conservative kingdom to an Olympics, was ordered by the International Judo Federation (IJF) to fight with her head uncovered.
But the Saudis have lodged a complaint over the ban.
“At the moment we are discussing with the International Judo Federation and the Saudi Arabia Olympic Committee to find a solution for her to compete,” an IOC spokesman told AFP yesterday.
“I don’t think she has to compete until August 3. The rules of the federation are she cannot wear a scarf for safety reasons.”
