Oh really?

[velvetpage]

Our newspaper occasionally reprints opinion articles from other newspapers around the globe or in Canada, to give another perspective on events in the news. Today's is from Saudi Arabia, about the lack of medals they've experienced in the game, and calling for more investment in their sports infrastructure to improve their chances at future games.

I'm debating writing a letter to the editor to point out that, while investing in their athletes might pay off for Saudi Arabia, until they allow women to compete, they're still going to be lower on the medals than other nations simply because they're cut out of so many possible competitions.

Sport is about excellence triumphing over any other consideration. Saudi Arabia lets gender discrimination triumph over excellence. As such, they're missing part of the point of the Games.

Comments

[amazonvera.livejournal.com]

It's a good point. A decent half (or something close to it) of the events these days feature women, and some sports, like synchronized swimming, don't even have male competitors (we had a big story here about it since one of the USA's biggest regional teams, the Santa Clara Aquamaids, is local, and they have a male team member who competes on the large team and in duets with his sister, but he can't compete in the Olympics because he's male).

The bottom line is that you really can't complain about failure to be competitive if you exclude yourself from half of the competitions. The fact that they fail to recognize that is a little astounding.

[merlyn4401.livejournal.com]

Somewhat OT, but I was watching the women's 400 meter semifinals last night, and one of the competitors was from Bahrian. She raced in head to toe spandax-like track suit complete with racing head covering, to stay in compliance with Muslim laws. I was impressed on many levels, and pleased to see her there. She came in 5th, though, so she didn't get to advance.

[velvetpage.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm sure they COULD manage to do it in a way that would be in compliance with their religious traditions, as obviously other countries manage it. Or if they went the other direction, and decided that competing in sports in general is against their religious principles somehow, I'd have less of a problem. it's the double-standard that bothers me.

[neebs.livejournal.com]

I was JUST going to post this, too! =)