It looks as if Saudi Arabia will avoid exclusion from the 2012 Olympics – by entering a token female presence in equestrian events. 

Women's sporting activity in the kingdom is widely discouraged on religious grounds and the kingdom has previously sent all-male teams to the Olympics. But last year the International Olympic Committee warned Saudi Arabia – along with Qatar and Brunei – that they could be barred from the 2012 games if female athletes were not included.

Qatar has since agreed to do so and now it seems that the Saudis will send a horse-riding team where the women can be clothed in a way that does not offend religious principles.

Bikya Masr website says Dalma Rushdi Malhas, an 18-year-old Saudi woman, is a likely competitor, having won a bronze medal at the 2010 Singapore Youth Olympics.

Posted by Brian Whitaker, 22 November 2011.