Branded prostitutes Saudi's women Olympians still play ball

For the Saudi Olympic contingent at London, it looks all male at first, but straggling at the rear are those much buzzed (and even maligned as prostitutes) first females, flanked by men. Men lead, women follow! A scan of Arab world entries looks at Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt: false hopes or renewed national pride?

Team Saudi enters the Olympic Opening Flag Ceremony: Behind every man...a woman!

Global Voices [3]

Saudi Arabia: Kingdom's First Female Olympic Athletes Called ‘Prostitutes'

Saudi's national pride gone awry! Their male athletic team led while 'they' brought up the rear of the Saudi participants, at the Opening Ceremony (in line with Saudi tradition where the men walk ahead of their female company): they were the first Saudi women contingent! They were hailed as heroines, but also scorned as whores. "Wojdan Shaherkani (Judo) and Sarah Attar (athletics) will be the first two women to ever represent the kingdom, where conservative religious clerics forbid the participation of women in competitive sports. On Twitter, their anticipated involvement in the games set off a flurry of reactions, including a hash tag which described them as the “Prostitutes of the Olympics.”

Blog Baladi [4]

Lebanon at the London 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony

A big-up for the Cedar sportsmen and women. They enter the Games one man down, after the untimely death of fencer Fadi Tannous.

Beirut Spring [5]

Why the Lebanese Don't Care About the Olympics

Whyever not? This nation finds a way to muster everything its got to give for causes less global as Euro Cup Football. "The Olympics are supposed to be as important as the football world cup. But the Lebanese can’t get themselves to care. I’m guilty as charged: The news about the olympics to me are simply the noise that is surrounding the news...."

Egyptian Chronicles [6]

Egypt at the Olympics

"I do not know why our Olympic committee does not think about a better outfit for our athletes."

7iber [7]

Bracing for Disappointment (Jordan at the Olympics)

A well-written report on the opening ceremony as well as the Jordanian 'chances'. "Rooting for Jordanian athletes at the London 2012 Olympics could be hard. Here is the preview."

Huffington Post Blog [8]

Saudi Arabia's Olympic Paradox: Insulting Women, Islam and "Prostitutes"

Still harping on about Saudi women in these Olympics. "In London, two Saudi women are set to participate in the Olympics today. But back in Saudi Arabia, millions of Saudi women and girls are effectively banned from practicing sports inside the Kingdom. Also, they aren't allowed to drive, although there is no law stipulating that."