IMANE KURDI As I watched Sarah Attar run the 800m race last Wednesday, I felt overwhelmed with emotion. There was something so pathetic about it, not pathetic in the modern sense of the word, though perhaps there was a little bit of that too, but pathetic in the literal sense: something that is touching, moving, that has pathos. She looked so fragile out there; the other athletes that raced ahead of her looked like muscular superheroes in comparison. It was like seeing a child run a race with adults. And as she finished the race alone, obviously pushing herself to make it to the finish line, her breath labored and her face all concentration, I was struck by the reaction of the crowd. They cheered her on loudly and as she finished a thunderous roar was heard with many standing to applaud her. I love the British for this, they have long had a wonderful enthusiasm for the underdog, for the one who doesn't stand a chance to win but who gives it all they've got. It was a historic moment and they applauded this first, the first time a Saudi woman had taken part in a track and field competition at the Olympics. They applauded it full-heartedly, creating a whirlwind of emotion across the stadium. Unfortunately, I did not see Wojdan Shahrkhani's judo match and missed the historic moment of the first Saudi woman to compete at the Olympics. I know that it only lasted 82 seconds, but just like it didn't matter at all that Sarah Attar came in last, it didn't matter that Wojdan Shahrkhani was knocked out so quickly. They were both outclassed by the other competitors because quite simply they are beginners. It was to be expected. I know too that Sarah Attar has an American mother and lives and trains in the US; she may not be as representative of ordinary Saudi women as Wojdan Shahrkhani, but that is beside the point. Her role is not to represent Saudi women but to inspire them. What Wojdan and Sarah have shown is that it is possible for a Saudi woman to be a sportswoman, and that rather than watch the Olympics with a feeling of exclusion, young girls can watch and think, yes, that is what I would like to do one day, and there is nothing to stop me from trying. And what a thrill it must have been to have 80,000 people cheering you on! As my emotions died down I asked myself: What is the difference between tokenism and affirmative action? Are these girls trailblazers or is their inclusion just a token gesture? We have been there before, not in sports but in other fields, where token women are included in a delegation or a committee just to make it seem like the country is more gender equal than it actually is. I myself took part in one or two such events when I was younger and felt very uneasy about it. The answer is that it depends on what follows. Is it the first step on a path for others to follow or is it merely a PR exercise? It boils down to political will. Women will not get their full place in society – and by that I mean receive the same opportunities to go forward in their chosen careers or contribute to civil society as men do - unless affirmative action is taken. A door must be forcibly opened, then a few tentative steps taken forward before eventually a regular path is set for anyone to follow. I remember when Saudi banks appointed their first women tellers. My late mother went to open an account and came back laughing at the chaos that she had found behind the doors of the very first Ladies Section. But now it is an entirely different ball game; Saudi women follow successful careers in the banking sector and are as professional and motivated as their male counterparts. The London Olympics have been wonderful. Sports have shown themselves to be a tremendous way to bring people together and knock down political and cultural barriers. The IOC has vowed to keep to the spirit of universal representation enshrined in its constitution and it has done this well. Wojdan Shahrkhani and Sarah Attar did not qualify for the Olympics – indeed Wojdan does not even have a black belt in judo – but they were invited by the IOC in order to give Saudi women an entry into Olympic sports. They were not the only athletes to receive invitations rather than qualify; the IOC makes available more than a hundred places at the Games for athletes from countries who have few or no athletes qualified to participate in the Olympics. As the crowds reminded us on Wednesday, it is taking part that counts. They cheered a young athlete giving it her best. But wouldn't it be wonderful if next time in Rio we got to see a Saudi female athlete win a medal? It's not quite so far-fetched as it may seem, after all Hadi Al-Somayli brought us a silver medal in Sydney and we now have won five bronze medals in show-jumping, one in Sydney and four in the team event in London. And if the men can do it, why not the women? All they need are the same opportunities. — Imane Kurdi is a Saudi writer on European affairs. She can be reached at [email protected]
