LONDON – Saudi Arabia is set to make history in Olympics Friday when Wojdan Shahrkhani steps on to tatami, playing area of judo, at 12.33 P.M. Saudi Time to take on Melissa Mojica of Puerto Rico in +78 kg class of 2012 London Olympics judo tournament at ExCel North Arena 2 in London. This is for the first time that Saudi Arabia has sent female athletes to Olympics on condition that they adhere to the Islamic tradition, including wearing a headscarf. This was made possible when agreement was reached after several days of IOC-brokered talks between the International Judo Federation and the Saudi Olympic Committee allowing the judoka to wear some sort of a modified headscarf. Sara Attar, who will be competing in the athletics, is the other Saudi female participant in the London Games. While Shahrkhani is a novice to international tourney the Puerto Rican girl, who is ranked 13th in the division, has a Pan American gold and rich experience of international championships. — SG
