The Washington Post’s Saudi correspondent points out that women are not totally absent from Saudi Arabia’s Olympics efforts: there is one woman, Arwa Mutabagani, who is in Hong Kong as a member of the Saudi Olympi Committee. She’s not in competition, but she believes that her presence represents the opening of a door to future participation by women in competitive events. Interesting, surprising, and worth reading.

An Olympic Door Opens for Saudi Woman
Faiza Saleh Ambah

JIDDAH, Saudi Arabia — The first female member of a Saudi Olympic delegation is spending her days with the equestrian team in Hong Kong, checking on horses, encouraging riders, planning training schedules and meeting with officials.

Arwa Mutabagani, 38, a professional show jumper, became a member of the Saudi Olympic Committee after her appointment in April to the government body in charge of sports in Saudi Arabia, another first for a woman.

Saudi Arabia has long been criticized for being one of a few countries that ban female athletes at the Olympics, but Mutabagani said her role is a sign that Saudi Arabia is trying to open the way for women in sports.

“The door has been opened. I want to work hard and prove I’m not just a token woman or figurehead,” she said.
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