(Newser)
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Saudi officials have won the go-ahead from the International Olympic Committee for a female athlete to wear a hijab in the judo competition. Wojdan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shaherkani, 16, had signed an agreement with Saudi officials that she would only compete if she could wear "correct and approved" clothing that adheres to "Islamic principals," said a spokesman.
Her father told a Saudi newspaper that he would not let his daughter compete without a hijab, reports CNN. It's not entirely clear how the teen feels about wearing the scarf. A spokesman for Judo International said just last week that she would "fight according to the principle and spirit of judo, so without a hijab." Olympics officials decided to allow Shaherkani to wear the scarf after Saudi managers threatened to withdraw their female athletes, the first to ever compete at the Games for the nation.
