Saudi women could miss London Olympics

Plans for Saudi Arabia to send women to the Olympics for the first time appear to be in jeopardy.

Saudi Arabian newspaper Al Watan has reported that Saudi Olympic Committee President Prince Nawaf does "not approve" of sending female athletes to the London Games. However, he left room for Saudi women to possibly compete on their own outside the official delegation, a plan that may not satisfy demands by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

A similar arrangement was made at the inaugural Youth Olympics in 2010 for Saudi equestrian competitor Dalma Malhas. She won a bronze medal in show jumping at the Games in Singapore.

The IOC has been in talks with the Saudis about sending women to London, explaining in a statement "we are still in discussion and working to ensure the participation of Saudi women at the games in London."

Saudi Arabia is one of three countries that have never included women on their Olympic teams, along with Qatar and Brunei. The IOC have been hopeful that all three will send female representatives to London, marking the first time every competing nation does so.

A formal proposal for the participation of Saudi women had been scheduled to be submitted to the IOC executive board at their meeting in Quebec City from 23rd to 25th May.