"Muslim Women Break Barriers to Reach Olympics" FROM NPR'S ALL THINGS CONSIDERED

There are many obstacles for women who live in predominantly Muslim countries to overcome in order to compete in any athletic competition, let alone the Olympics. Most conservative Muslim nations refuse to allow women to attend the Olympics because of 'modesty issues' and other cultural barriers. One woman from this NPR report had to switch from her chosen sport of gymnastics to pistol shooting in order to be allowed to attend the Games. In the apartheid years in South Africa, when Black athletes were refused positions on the South African Olympic team, the International Olympic Committee banned South Africa from the Games. Many people believe that the same action should be taken against Muslim nations that refuse to permit female athletes to attend the Olympic Games, and other international competitions.

Should we allow perceived theology (that largely disguises cultural discrimination) to be a justification for keeping talented athletes out of these competitions? Obviously, we have not allowed cultural discrimination to continue in the past--what makes these incidents any different? Should discriminatory religious practices be given more weight simply because they are 'religious'? I understand that even Muslim women choose to cover themselves due to modesty restrictions in the teachings of Islam; however, shouldn't those who choose different expressions, even contrary to those restrictions, have a voice (or a place on the Olympic team)?