Abstract

In this paper I explore the opportunities that women from Islamic countries have of participating in the Olympic Games and the barriers which they face when taking part in elite sport. Here, it must be taken into account that women's personal situations vary greatly according to - among many other things - the country they live in, their place of residence, their social background and their religious orientation. After giving an overview of participation rates of women and of athletes from Islamic countries at the Olympic Games, I will undertake a more in-depth analysis of the Muslim women taking part in the Beijing Olympics. In addition, trends and participation patterns will be discussed and influential female athletes will be presented. In the second part of the article I will focus on the reasons for the small number of female athletes in Islamic countries, focusing on conditions of life as well as on culture and religion. Verf.-Referat