Saudi Olympic athlete hit by judo head scarf ban: Safety or discrimination?

One day after a female Saudi Arabian judo player arrived in London – under strict instructions from national Olympic officials to compete "wearing suitable clothing" that complies with Islamic custom – the International Judo Federation banned the wearing of head scarves Thursday. 

The move was made for safety reasons, said Nicolas Messner, a federation spokesman. Judo involves grabbing opponents' clothing and using choke holds, making the head scarf – or hijab – "dangerous," he added.

Messner told the Associated Press that negotiations are ongoing with the Saudi Arabian delegation to find a compromise. But neither the Saudis nor the athlete, Wojdan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shahrkhani, has yet made a statement about whether she will compete. 

Read more: The Christian Science Monitor 

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London Olympics: Only British dormitories have air conditioning

While the traffic mismanagement has already shown its true face during the full dress rehearsal Wednesday night, when the out pour of spectators from the stadium took many hours to clear and reach back home, there are other issues that are emerging as well.

Although the face of Olympic Village is spectacular, what goes inside is another story. The athletes are complaining of lack of air conditioning in their camps and in what is clearly being called an unfair advantage to the home team, only British dormitories have any air conditioning.

American athlete Lolo Jones complains: "No air conditioners. Its HOT in the rooms. No need to practice, just lay in ur bed & sweat. Where are the applications for Winter Olympics?"

Read more: Business Insider

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Spice Girls of 90s may reunite for London Olympic Closing Ceremony

Nineties' girl band the Spice Girls have each forged successful solo careers, but sources imply they could reform for the first time since 2008 this summer and play at the Olympic Closing Ceremony.

Photo: The Spice Girls

The five singers, Geri Halliwell (Ginger Spice), Emma Bunton (Baby Spice), Melanie Chisholm (Sporty Spice), Melanie Brown (Scary Spice) and Victoria Beckham (Posh Spice), will join other pop stars George Michael, The Who, Take That and Jessie J for the event on August 12.

The group will sing two songs, one of which is reported to be their 1996 hit single 'Wannabe' which was a number one in more than 30 countries.

Source: The Telegraph

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Ridiculous Olympics lanes making a farce of driving in London

Bizarre: Motorists travelling along Southampton Row in central London face just three options - and all are illegal. They can either travel in the bus lane, the Olympic lane or on the wrong side of the road [Photo: National Pictures / Daily Mail]

As this picture shows, motorists travelling along Southampton Row face three options  - and all are illegal.

They can either travel in the bus lane, the Olympic lane or on the wrong side of the road. 

Obviously no driver would want to travel on the wrong side of the road. But motorists caught travelling in either a bus lane or Olympic lane during operational hours face a £130 fine.

Read more about the confused Olympic Traffic arrangements: Daily Mail

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Protecting London Olympics remind Londoners of WW-II

The deployment of Rapier in the open parks and SHORADS (short range air defence weapon systems) on roof tops to protect the London Olympics remind the Londoners of the heavy anti aircraft guns deployed around London during the WW-II.

3.7 inch heavy AA guns deployed in London during WW-II [above] - Rapier and SHORADS deployed for London Olympics [below]

Soldiers in residential tower blocks and green open spaces were yesterday pictured installing surface-to-air missiles at six sites across the capital, a show of strength not seen in this country since the Second World War.

With two weeks to go before the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games, it marks a dramatic development in the biggest peacetime security operation the country has ever seen.

Read more / see what all is being done to protect London Olympics: Daily Mail

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London Olympics: Fury as MPs gifted free tickets for biggest night of the Games

MPs have been given free corporate tickets to the most sought-after event at the Olympics – the men’s 100m final.

Four members of the culture media and sport select committee have accepted the prized seats from BT, one of London 2012’s leading sponsors.

Ministers have been banned from freebie trips to the Games.

But the culture committee chairman, John Whittingdale, gave BT permission to offer the hottest tickets in town – worth £420 each – to his members because they have been scrutinising the Games for five years.

Read more: Daily Mail

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London Olympics - 30 days to go

The euphoria of Euro and Wimbledon won't last longer than 8 July when the Wimbledon men's singles final will bring an end to the two on going major sports events taking place now.

But then we wait for the mega event of the year - the London Olympics.

Already there are teams brushing up their gears and taking stock of the energies and talent to exhibit at London 30 days from hence.

and there is something that wasn't there before - the Saudi women athletes that have been allowed for the first time in the history of Saudi Arabia and the Olmpics. This will allow the female talent from the deserts of Saudi Arabia to the green country side of London.

meanwhile the Canadian women soccer team has been announced on Monday - though ranked seven, the Canadian women will have to show their mettle and improve thier rating if they can.

There is much more about Olympic preparations, that we will continue to share in days to come, beside bringing live coverage of Wimbledon matches and of course the Euro semis between defending champion Spain and Portugal, that is today, and Germany and Italy on Thursday, followed by the closing ceremony and final of Euro on July 1.

Stay tuned...

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Saudi Arabia allows women in the London Olympics

Saudi Arabia will allow its women athletes to compete in the Olympic Games for the first time ever in London this summer, the Islamic kingdom's London embassy said on its website.


"I think this is a victory for Saudi sportswomen and hopefully it will promote sports and women's health awareness for the Saudi society," said Lina al-Maeena, co-founder of Jeddah United Sports Company, a rare women's exercise club that runs a female basketball team.





Read more: Philly

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Female Olympians Having Testosterone More than Average Athletes may be Banned

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is reportedly considering new rules that would ban female Olympians who are not "feminine" enough. The IOC argues that women with high testosterone levels similar to the amount found in men have an unfair athletic advantage, and should be barred from competing alongside female athletes with average testosterone levels. 

Rebecca Jordan-Young and Katrina Karkazis co-wrote a blistering takedown of the proposal in The New York Times, arguing that such a rule would be discriminatory and ineffective, as "there is just too much variation in how bodies make and respond to testosterone" for the guidelines to be fair. Should the IOC reconsider?

Read more: Business Insider

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Olympic torches in eBay fire sale

LONDON Olympic flame carriers have already begun offering their prized torches on eBay, just hours after taking part in the relay.

Andrew Bell, 32, was among the first entrusted with the iconic emblem as it began its 12,875km trip across Britain ahead of the Games.

Yet he tried to cash in on the once-in-a-lifetime honour by putting the torch and his Olympic outfit up for sale soon afterward, The Sun reported.

And at least four others have followed him, some advertising their torches and apparel before taking part in the procession.

Read more: news

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Big Mac! World's biggest McDonald's with 1,500 seats to be built for games

The biggest McDonald's restaurant in the world will open for six weeks during the London 2012 Olympic games.

More than 50,000 Big Mac burgers and 180,000 portions of fries will be served from the outlet in Stratford, east London.

The huge temporary branch will have seating for 1,500 customers and will employ more than 2,000 staff.

Read more: Mail Online 

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British Airports 'could be paralysed by Olympic influx'

Planes full of passengers could be ‘left on runways’ as airports struggle to cope during the Olympic Games, senior MPs have warned.

The House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee said London Heathrow could become gridlocked, with planes forced to circle the airport and tourists made to queue at passport control for several hours.

In a leaked letter to Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt, MPs claim cuts to UK Border Agency staff and poor contingency plans could be a recipe for disaster during the London 2012 Games.

Read more: Mail Online  

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Olympics 2012 - A Financial Nightmare for England?

The Olympics may go nearly £2billion over budget, British MPs warned Thursday.

Their report into the London Games also raised concerns about the Olympic legacy and the danger of the main stadium becoming a white elephant.

‘We are particularly concerned about the significant increases in the security bill. It is staggering that the original estimates were so wrong,’ said Commons Public Accounts Committee chairman Margaret Hodge.

The original estimate for the number of security guards in and around the venues was 10,000 – a ‘finger in the air estimate’, according to the Commons report. The Government announced in December that the figure has more than doubled to 23,700. Security costs from the Olympics budget have risen from £282million to £553million.

Read details: Mail Online

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Queen to open London Olympic Games

Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip will open the London Olympic Games in July, the palace announced on Wednesday, continuing a tradition that dates back more than 100 years.

"Her Majesty The Queen, accompanied by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, will open the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on Friday, 27th July," Buckingham Palace said in a statement.

The opening ceremony at the Olympic Stadium in Stratford, east London, is being overseen by Oscar-winning filmmaker Danny Boyle. The theme is the "Isles of Wonder" and is inspired by a passage from Shakespeare's play "The Tempest".

Read more: Google News

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London 2012: Strike threat by Unite to Olympic Games

Industrial action against government cuts could be timed to disrupt the London 2102 Olympics, the leader of Britain's largest union has said.

Len McCluskey, of the Unite union, also called for civil disobedience during the Games to defend public services.

In an interview with the Guardian, Mr McCluskey said his union had discussed the possibility of strike action but there were currently no plans in place.

Read more: BBC News UK

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