Saudi female athlete to Olympics 2012

Saudi Arabia is considering sending a female athlete for the first time ever to Olympics this year. The issue of women in sport remains extremely sensitive in the state, where women are not even allowed to drive cars and the authorities shut down private gyms for females in 2009 and 2010. On Saturday, Al-Sharq newspaper said that equestrian jumping contestant Dalma Malhas, 18, is likely to be Saudi Arabia s only female athlete at this summer s Olympics in London. Malhas won a bronze medal at the 2010 Singapore Youth Olympics without having been nominated by her country, following an invitation from the International Olympic Committee (OIC). Saudi Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz, also the powerful interior minister known for his opposition to women being given the right to drive, has given the nod to sending the her to the Games, according to local media. But the decision has yet to be officially declared. The Saudi Olympic body has so far said that only men will take part in the London Olympics.