Countries which bar or limit female athletes.

[Melinda]

It was Belboid talking last week about Hassiba Boulmerka (in the favourite Olympian thread) that sparked my interest and prompted this thread.

Hassiba Boulmerka - Algerian 1500 woman, caused a right furore in Algeria by 'showing too much of her body' when running.
Fundies demanded she cover up more, she demanded they fuck off. They threatened her life, she carried on. I've never seen anyone run with such style and determination, quite inspirational.

Things are changing – countries fielding all male teams have shrunk from 30+ at Barcelona to less than a handful this time around.

But how come Saudi Arabia which bars women from any sporting activity* for cultural and religious reasons are allowed in the games at all?



* NB: There is an undercover basket ball league operating in Jeddah mostly out of private schools and colleges.
However according to the Washington Post (yeah I know ) some cunts got wind of it and issued a religious ruling/fatwa against it, banning women's sports centres in the kingdom.

"Opening these centers is one of the main reasons and the biggest doors leading to the spread of decadence,"

"And it is known that the only women who will frequent these centers are those with little or no manners."

"Banning the opening of these sports centers is not a ban on sports. A woman can practice sports at home, and there are many ways to do that, or she can race her husband in a deserted area, like the prophet Muhammad -- peace be upon him -- who raced with his wife Aisha twice."

 

[Melinda]

Clothing restrictions mean Iran's female Olympians are limited to pistol- and rifle-shooting at the Barcelona, Sydney and Athens Olympics, this time they had an atlete in the taekwondo and archery draws.

Iranian rower Ramoneh Lazar was recently expelled from the national team after her ankles were seen inside her boat during a competition in Bangkok.

Tehran Debates Breaking Dress Code To Broadcast Women At Olympics

For years, Iranian women have been active in regional and international sports competitions, but religious laws in Iran prevent women from being seen on television without an Islamic hijab. While Iranian women play sports dressed in the traditional hijab, their international competitors do not -- and therefore cannot be shown in Iranian broadcasts.

http://www.payvand.com/news/08/jul/1230.html

Also from there:

Additionally, representatives of Iran's intelligence services follow the women athletes everywhere -- including at international competitions -- to ensure they don't violate any Islamic rules.

 

[Flashman]

Wankers aren't they.

 

[Melinda]

It just seems even more stupidly anachronistic considering Indonesia, Pakistan, Morroco, Egypt and now even Oman and Yemen have women on their teams.

Oman had a woman, Buthaina Yaqoubi, as flag bearer here. She is Oman’s first female athlete to compete in an Olympic games and competed in the will compete in the 100m and long jump.

The image of the Yemeni athlete lining up for the 100m have been every where. Its cracking.

 

[Melinda]

Roqaya Al Gassra of Bahrain, just won her round 2 heat of the 200m

Surely this has to be the last Olympics where this has to be a big deal?

 

[The Groke]

Oman

Oman is pretty groovy and tolerant these days it seems, especially when compared to it's peers....well, Muscat at least, which is the only bit I have spent time in.

Worth mentioning that our Sheik's daughter is flying the flag for our UAE team in Karate too.

 

[aylee]

All this stuff just makes Islamic fundamentalism look very, very silly indeed.

 

[ymu]

Al Gassra has won her heats comfortably. Imagine what she could do if she didn't have to drag metres of floaty material with her.

I haven't spotted any male athletes from these countries yet. The Islamic dress code is the same for men and women apart from the head scarf - are they being made to wear this cumbersome nonsense also?

 

[Homeless Mal]

Roqaya Al Gassra of Bahrain, just won her round 2 heat of the 200m

Surely this has to be the last Olympics where this has to be a big deal?

Fucken ridiculous. Mind you, there is a Bondi lifeguard in a modified hijabi cossie back home but even then she shows leg (we'd never let the bastards get too good a grip).

 

[aylee]

The Islamic dress code is the same for men and women apart from the head scarf - are they being made to wear this cumbersome nonsense also?

Fair comment. As I understand it, Islam calls for modest dress from both men and women .... for some reason, that doesn't seem to prevent male athletes wearing conventional, body-hugging, trouser-snake showing kit.

 

[pk]

Saudis, LOL...

Fucking arseholes, only relevant because they own all the oil.

Wahaabism=backward religion.

 

[Melinda]

Fucken ridiculous. Mind you, there is a Bondi lifeguard in a modified hijabi cossie back home but even then she shows leg (we'd never let the bastards get too good a grip).

WTF?

Mal, You dont half say some offensive off key shit at times.

Ugh.

 

[Melinda]

Iran: two steps forward, one sep back it seems.

Ahmadinejad was all for promoting women's sports for fitness and self esteem at one stage wasnt he?

I wonder how he will respond to religious conservatives criticising the pominence of the women on the Iranian team?





From here: http://kamangir.net/2008/08/08/i-regret-the-fact-that-a-women-led-iran-in-the-olympics-2/

 

[Flashman]

What a horrid view to hold. There really are some mad fuckers about.