LONDON (AP) — The IOC says an agreement has been reached to allow a female judo athlete from Saudi Arabia to compete wearing some form of headscarf. Saudi Arabia sent its two first female Olympians to the London Games on condition they adhere to the kingdom's conservative Islamic traditions, including wearing a headscarf. Judo officials had said a headscarf could be dangerous because the sport includes chokeholds and aggressive grabbing techniques. But IOC spokesman Mark Adams says a solution has been found, clearing the way for Wojdan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shahrkhani to compete Friday in the women's heavyweight division. Adams said Tuesday the International Judo Federation and Saudi Olympic Committee reached an agreement that "works for all parties involved." Without giving details, he says it allows for the athlete to wear a head covering that is "safety compliant but also allows for cultural sensitivity."
Saudi judoka may wear form of headscarf
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FILE - In this , Friday, July 27, 2012 file photo, Saudi Arabia's Wojdan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shahrkhani, parades, along with her team, during the Opening Ceremony at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Talks have been underway to allow Shahrkhani, a judo athlete, to compete for Saudi Arabia at the Olympics after the sport's governing federation said she would not be allowed to wear a headscarf. Saudi Arabia, which sent its first two female Olympians to the London Games, had only agreed to let women participate if they adhered to the kingdom's conservative Islamic traditions, including wearing a headscarf. But last Thursday, the International Judo Federation said Shahrkhani, would not be allowed to wear a headscarf because it was against principles of judo and raised safety concerns. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
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