Iranian authorities are considering whether or not to allow state television to broadcast women’s events at the upcoming Beijing Olympics. In question is the dress of the female competitors. Iranian women are required to wear an Islamic hijab when participating in sporting events, which must cover the head and hair and hide the female form. Since the other countries don’t follow Iran’s Islamic dress code the events can not be shown on television.
There’s currently a push in Iran to make an exception for this year’s Olympics.
For this summer’s Olympic Games in Beijing, however, Iranian authorities might allow state television to broadcast the women’s events. Ali Asghar Purmohammadi, who is responsible for broadcasting sports programs for Iran’s state-run television, has said he is pressing Iranian authorities to give special permission to show women competing in the Olympic Games next month.
There are just three women among the 53 Iranian athletes who will compete in the Beijing Olympics from August 8-24, with one woman each competing in rowing, archery, and tae kwon do.
The Iranian government will probably stick with tradition but rowing, archery, and tae kwon do have to be three of the least sexy sports in the summer games. It could be worse.
Take track for instance.
The first two things you’ll notice about this women’s track meet compilation video are one, it’s NSFW and two, there are a lot of perv cameramen working women’s track events.
Water polo looks hard enough without making the women try to play in a lacrosse mask and long-sleeved sack.
Unless the temperature was around 40 degrees F there’s no excuse for forcing these ladies to put on this gear to play softball.
I’d say there are some philosophical differences between the United States approach to women’s softball and the Iranian approach.
Iranian women should start joining auto racing leagues. They’ll be covered from head to toe at all times. That’s assuming women are allowed to drive in Iran.
