London 2012 Olympics: Saudi Arabian Judo Athlete Will Compete in Headscarf: Right or Wrong?

by Heisenberg Posted 2012/08/01 19:00:00

Related Topics: Sports, Olympics, Islam, Headscarf, Hijab, Saudi Arabia, London Olympics, Religion

635 votes
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	Right	428 votes	67%
	Wrong	207 votes	33%

TELEGRAPH.CO.UK reports:
A female Saudi Arabian athlete will compete in a headscarf during her judo event, the International Olympic Committee confirmed today.

arabian athlete compete headscarf judo event international olympic committee confirmed

+15

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JMCC 2012/08/01 15:53:23

Right

+32
This is the first time that the Saudi's have allowed women to compete.

One step at a time...
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More polls by Heisenberg

NCAAFBA... to The Bla... 2012/08/01 20:40:42

+2
And even more: From a competitive standpoint, what would happen if the other contestant was to remove the opponents head scarf through the course of action?

What if a contestant was to avoid head moves altogether as a part of Ne Waza, thereby excluding a valid portion of competition?

What if the head scarf came off at an inopportune time for the non wearing participant who was in good position, but the wearer was provisioned a time out & reset? A position reset easily breaks the momentum being held by someone who is in a leading position.

I see this as being nothing but a problem & should NOT be permitted in any way at all.

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The Bla... to NCAAFBA... 2012/08/02 01:18:27

Well said and agreed.

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louisa 2012/08/01 16:43:55

Right

+2
if wearing the hijab means a lot to her i don't see why not

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Frank 2012/08/01 16:29:49

Right

+2
She can do what she wants.

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leslie 2012/08/01 16:18:57

Right

+2
The concept is great! Since
I am not familiar with how it is held on, or otherwise secured I am just curious as to:
1: What happens if it comes off?
2: Could her competitor use it against her?
3: Could it's presence cause a hazard to either competitor during the competition?

Couldn't find anything about how exactly it is secured to the wearers head.

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NCAAFBA... to leslie 2012/08/01 20:33:04

+1
It has nothing to do with how it is secured to HER head, it has to do with what happens in the normal course of action.

From a competitive standpoint, what would happen if the other contestant was to remove the opponents head scarf through the course of action?

What if a contestant was to avoid head moves altogether as a part of Ne Waza, thereby excluding a valid portion of competition?

What if the head scarf came off at an inopportune time for the non wearing participant who was in good position, but the wearer was provisioned a time out & reset? A position reset easily breaks the momentum being held by someone who is in a leading position.

I see this as being nothing but a problem & should NOT be permitted in any way at all.

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Angryface01 2012/08/01 16:13:00

Right

+1
Why shouldn't she?

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NCAAFBA... to Angryfa... 2012/08/01 20:41:27

+1
From a competitive standpoint, what would happen if the other contestant was to remove the opponents head scarf through the course of action?

What if a contestant was to avoid head moves altogether as a part of Ne Waza, thereby excluding a valid portion of competition?

What if the head scarf came off at an inopportune time for the non wearing participant who was in good position, but the wearer was provisioned a time out & reset? A position reset easily breaks the momentum being held by someone who is in a leading position.

I see this as being nothing but a problem & should NOT be permitted in any way at all.

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Angryfa... to NCAAFBA... 2012/08/02 01:02:12

I concur. Hadn't thought of those issues, actually. While I'm a huge fan of MMA and of Greco-Roman Wrestling, it does seem problematic. However, could an amenable alternative work? For example, how about one of those swim-cap thingies? Something that covered her hair and neck (boy would it be uncomfortable) securely that could not simply be pulled or become dislodged.

This is the reason many MMA fighters moved away from wearing the traditional Japanese Gi -- the lapels provided a useful handhold with which to toss your opponent to the mat; the belt provided a handhold for manipulating your opponent.

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KaelynnRose 2012/08/01 15:56:50

Right

+2
I have no problem with it. As long as she understands it may come off during the course of the judo match.

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NCAAFBA... to Kaelynn... 2012/08/01 20:33:44

+2
From a competitive standpoint, what would happen if the other contestant was to remove the opponents head scarf through the course of action?

What if a contestant was to avoid head moves altogether as a part of Ne Waza, thereby excluding a valid portion of competition?

What if the head scarf came off at an inopportune time for the non wearing participant who was in good position, but the wearer was provisioned a time out & reset? A position reset easily breaks the momentum being held by someone who is in a leading position.

I see this as being nothing but a problem & should NOT be permitted in any way at all.

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ṃεταllïс_ḋќ[сhατвøχ] 2012/08/01 15:55:46

Right

+4
At least they found a solution,with the Olympics being known to bring "peace" and stuff.

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JMCC 2012/08/01 15:53:23

Right

+32
This is the first time that the Saudi's have allowed women to compete.

One step at a time...

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Fef to JMCC 2012/08/01 21:44:20

+1
should the IOC play politics? Does it have a responsibility to tolerate religious suppression or expression? Would they delay a judo match from Shabbat to allow an Israeli to compete?

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JMCC to Fef 2012/08/01 21:48:34

+2
That reminds me of the film "Chariots of fire" which tells the story of the British running team at the 1924 Olympics in Paris. Eric Liddel refused to run in one of the races because it was being held on a Sunday...

So you are probably correct...

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Faith ~... to JMCC 2012/08/01 23:07:28

Unfortunately, the presence of Saudi women is the result of several months of pressure by the International Olympics Committee on Saudi Arabia to include women competitors or face being banned from participation.

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Tom to Faith ~... 2012/08/02 15:53:45

+1
It is still a good thing. Hopefully it will start giving Saudi women the confidence to start standing up for themselves and stop allowing themselves to be treated as things not people.

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Faith ~... to Tom 2012/08/03 17:30:13

One can hope. I did listen to one reporter who said he tried to talk to her, and while she smiled politely, she was not allowed to speak to men. I find that so crazy.

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Tom to Faith ~... 2012/08/03 17:38:44

+1
I have a feeling it will still be a long time before women achieve the human rights they deserve.

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ChgoBears to JMCC 2012/08/02 16:12:04

+1
I did not realize this, well said sir.

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Heisenberg 2012/08/01 15:51:12

Right

+7
I see how it provides no unfair advantage so if she wants to wear the religious/cultural garb I have no objection.

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Erik Dean 2012/08/01 15:51:12

Right

+6
cultural/religious freedom and acceptance. Good.

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