Running women
Ali Al-Ahmed points out an anomaly.
The procession of the Olympic torch drew protests from Paris to San Francisco over China’s treatment of the Tibetan people, but no one has protested another tragedy that is afflicting millions of women in Saudi Arabia, Iran and other Muslim countries. Many Muslim women dare not even dream of the Olympics because their countries ban female sports altogether or severely restrict the athletic activities of the “weaker sex.”…[T]he slogan of the 29th Olympic Games is “One World, One Dream.” This dream, however, will not be realized by women in Saudi Arabia and other Muslim countries that ban women from sports domestically and internationally. The International Olympic Committee charter states that “any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race, religion, politics, sex or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic Movement.” But the Olympic Committee is failing to adhere to its own standards. While the hypothetical example of participating countries barring black athletes from the Olympic Games would have rightly caused international outrage, the committee continues to allow the participation of countries that do not allow women on their Olympic teams.
Yes well you see…barring women is different from barring black people because…because…because nobody owns black people (it took a bit of a fuss, but we have that pretty much settled now), but women are owned. So countries are allowed to say that women can’t do sports because women all belong to someone, but countries aren’t allowed to say that black people can’t do sports because no one owns them (except the women, but don’t confuse me).
It must be something like that, you know. Otherwise it wouldn’t fly. It does fly, so the thinking must be something along those lines. Rules about women are Special because they cut close to the bone because women belong to other people, so nobody has the right to say they ought to be allowed to do things.
Or else it’s just the usual disgusting craven unwillingness to say ‘boo’ to Saudi Arabia.
Unwillingness to say ‘boo’ to the Saudis?
One word answer:
OIL.
Anyway, the Olympics are a farce. Always have been. Blind nationalism vs Smith and Carlos? I’ll take the latter.
“One World, One Dream.” No SA Women’s World, No Dream.
The International Olympic Committee should also be answerable for allowing the banning of women of some Muslim countries to operate at its games. It virtually stands by and goes against its own rules. It is so duplicitous. It should take a stand in grabbing the nasty bull by the horn and refuse to allow “men only” to compete in its games.