The International Olympic Committee is in talks with Saudi Arabia's Olympic committee and the governing judo body IJF to solve a headscarf controversy and allow the first woman from Saudi Arabia at the Olympics to compete later in the week, DPA reported.
Wodjan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shahrkhani is registered for the +78 kilogramme category scheduled for Friday and a first round date there with Melissa Mojica of Puerto Rico.
But her father told the el Watan paper she will only compete with the hijab, the traditional Muslim headscarf. The IJF rejects this, saying it is against the rules and is too dangerous.
IOC spokeswoman Emmanuelle Moreau confirmed to dpa that the IOC is mediating in the case after months of lobbying to get Saudi Arabian women to the Games for the first time.
"We are talking with the Saudi Arabia Olympic Committee and the judo federation to find a solution to allow the athlete to compete. The talks are ongoing but heading in the right direction," Moreau said.
Saudi Arabia is sending two women,. the other is 800m runner Sarah Attar, for the first time along with Qatar and Brunei. Sharkani and Attar were at the parade of nations at the opening ceremony, both wearing the hijab.
IOC mediates in headscarf controversy around Saudi athlete
The International Olympic Committee is in talks with Saudi Arabia's Olympic committee and the governing judo body IJF to solve a headscarf controversy and allow the first woman from Saudi Arabia at the Olympics to compete later in the week.
