IOC Urges Saudi Government To Lift Ban On Sports in Girls' State Schools

The IOC on Sunday "urged the Saudi government to push forward with moves to lift a ban on sports in girls' state schools," according to the AFP. The conservative Muslim kingdom's consultative Shura Council last week "recommended an end to the ban, which was relaxed in private schools last year, state media reported." IOC spokesperson Mark Adams said, "We welcome this development and look forward to approval by the Education Ministry." The ministry "must officially lift the ban as the council is influential, but only advisory." Saudi authorities "shut down private gyms for women in 2009 and 2010, and women are effectively barred from sports arenas by strict rules banning men and women mixing in public" (AFP, 4/13).