Saudi embassy statement reveals country’s Olympic commitee will oversee participation of women athletes who can qualify Saudi Arabia has announced that it is to allow female citizens to take part in the Olympic Games this summer for the first time in the country’s history. The move comes only months after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) faced calls to ban the country from London 2012 after the Saudi Olympic chief appeared to rule out sending women athletes to the Games. However, a statement released by the Saudi embassy to the BBC said that the Saudi Olympic committee will “oversee participation of women athletes who can qualify”. The decision, backed by the Saudi ruler, King Abdullah, was taken 10 days ago but the announcement was delayed due to the death of the Saudi heir to the throne, Crown Prince Nayef , according to the BBC. The Saudi regime, which closed private gyms for women in 2009 and 2010 and severely limits women’s ability to undertake physical activity, has been under mounting international pressure to adopt a more liberal approach

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