Women can compete in Olympics - just invite them, says Saudi Arabia

Country says they will send women to the games if invited to do so

Saudi Arabia was the focus of Olympic-based furore after it was revealed they were sending no female athletes to the games.

Although a few weeks ago it was announced that the country would be sending 18-year-old female showjumper Dalma Malhas to the sporting event, the athlete has since withdrawn from the Games due to an injury.

Now rights groups are again criticising the country for its failure to ever send a woman to participate in the Olympics.

On Wednesday New York-based Human Rights Watch urged the International Olympic Committee to ban Saudi Arabia from the event.

However an official from Saudi Arabia has said that female athletes can participate 'if they receive an invitation from the International Olympic Committee or other countries' Olympic committees.'

He says: 'There is a joint committee of the IOC and the Saudi Olympic Committee to discuss which female athletes will receive an invitation and for which sports. No invitations have been issued yet.'

Female participation in sports is a controversial issue in the country, where women are denounced for exercising and can't be taught PE at school.

If women take part this will have to first be approved by a male guardian and they while have to adhere to the dress code of Islamic law.

SAUDI ARABIAN WOMEN WILL BE ALLOWED TO COMPETE IN THE OLYMPICS

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