Almost since the revival of the Olympic Games, women have received the right to participate in them together with men. However, some countries until recently did not admit women to their teams. These states include Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia has been participating in the Olympic Games since 1972. And all this time, only male athletes were part of the team. This situation is easy to explain. Saudi Arabia is one of the most orthodox Muslim countries. The rights of women in this state are severely limited. She has no right to study, work, or travel without the permission of a male relative. She cannot get a license and drive a car. Even her appearance is strictly regulated. Every woman who has left childhood is obliged to wear a hijab in public places - a scarf that covers her hair and neck, and an abaya - a black robe with a loose cut on the floor and with long sleeves. Most women also cover their faces.
In such conditions, the participation of a woman in any public sports competition is impossible simply for reasons of decency and religious morality.
However, the government of the Arab kingdom had to make concessions. The International Olympic Committee has for years threatened the country with disqualification from the Olympic Games for not allowing women to qualify. And in 2012, these measures took effect. It was decided to admit Saudi athletes to the selection for the Olympics and, if successful, include them in the team.
It should be borne in mind that the participation of women in the Olympics has become an element of the general course of the gradual democratization of Saudi society. For example, already in 2015, it is planned to admit women candidates to participate in local elections. These concessions are associated not only with international pressure, but also with changes in the conservative Saudi society. An increasing number of Saudi Arabians, looking back at neighboring countries, for example, the United Arab Emirates, come to the conclusion that some independence of women does not lead to a deterioration in morals or a crisis in society.
