London 2012 is the first Olympic Games in which there are female athletes in every team. The University of Bristol’s J Crush writes for The National Student:
For the first time Saudi Arabia has sent a female athlete to an Olympic Games ensuring that all nations have sent female athletes to London 2012.
The first female athlete, Wojdan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shaherkani had her debut on Friday, losing her first round judo bout in just under 90 seconds.
Sarah Attar, an 800m runner who will be competing on Wednesday, has also been selected to represent Saudi Arabia. This move came after much pressure from the IOC, and from the isolation and embarrassment caused by Brunei and Quatar’s decision to send female athletes, leaving Saudi Arabia as the only nation never to have sent female athletes.
For this reason London 2012 has been hailed as the most female-friendly Olympic Games, with each team including at least one female athlete. Brunei’s first ever and only female competitor even had the honour of being flag bearer at the opening ceremony, a hugely significant gesture.
Full article here.
Success of having female athletes in every Olympic team must not be wasted
For the first time Saudi Arabia has sent a female athlete to an Olympic Games ensuring that all nations have sent female athletes to London 2012.
The first female athlete, Wojdan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shaherkani had her debut on Friday, losing her first round judo bout in just under 90 seconds.
Sarah Attar, an 800m runner who will be competing on Wednesday, has also been selected to represent Saudi Arabia. This move came after much pressure from the IOC, and from the isolation and embarrassment caused by Brunei and Quatar’s decision to send female athletes, leaving Saudi Arabia as the only nation never to have sent female athletes.
For this reason London 2012 has been hailed as the most female-friendly Olympic Games, with each team including at least one female athlete. Brunei’s first ever and only female competitor even had the honour of being flag bearer at the opening ceremony, a hugely significant gesture.
Full article here.
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About the author
Deputy Editor. Beckie is a final-year Japanese student at the University of Leeds. She is Editor-in-Chief of Lippy: No Gloss and Features Editor of Leeds Student.