In the above photo, Maria Sharapova is holding up the Golden Falcon award after winning the WTA Qatar Total Open final Sunday at the Khalifa International Tennis Complex in Doha.
What's notable about the photo, though, is what Sharapova is wearing: Tights under her skirt that go below the knee and sleeves that go past the elbow, in accordance with the wishes of the host country. That, of course, is a far cry from what Sharapova usually wears.
Qatar is attempting to establish itself as an international sports hot spot, with a goal, ultimately, of hosting the Summer Olympics. But while Sharapova is willing to alter her dress to abide by local customs, many female Olympians won't be. And that's why if women are discouraged from dressing like athletes normally dress, there's no way Qatar can be taken seriously as an Olympic host.
UPDATE: To be clear, as noted in comments, this dress code is not a requirement of female athletes -- indeed, some women played in the tournament dressed less modestly than Sharapova. But modest dress for women is the local custom, and it is fair to ask whether such a local custom should be an impediment to Qatar being taken seriously on the international women's athletics scene.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-26-2008 @ 2:29PM
Bill said...
Been to Qatar in the summer--- it's average temp is around 120 degree. Don't think they'll ever host an Olympics.
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2-27-2008 @ 1:45AM
src said...
While I have no idea why Ms. Sharapova chose to wear this particular outfit, to claim that Qatar tried to impose some sort of dress code is completely baseless.
It is important to note that at Qatar Total Open, some women were wearing 'skimpy outfits', but weather here was pretty windy and cold (yes, it does get cold in the desert!)
When Doha hosted the 2006 Asian Games, women were wearing bikinis competing in the beach volleyball event, which are far more skimpy than any tennis outfit, and this was completely acceptable.
Qatar is perhaps a questionable host for the Olympics, but not because they are afraid of women showing a little skin.
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2-27-2008 @ 5:11AM
AK said...
I agree to the above poster's comments.
Many of the people in the stands had blankets and/or heavy jackets. It was unusually cold last week and was necessary out here. In one of the doubles matches, Zvonareva wore a hoodie and sweatpants.
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2-27-2008 @ 2:39PM
aimes2 said...
This "article" is weak and without any factual merit. I read it earlier before the "update" was added.
Please give me a break.
There are definitely lots of things you can say about Qatar in general, and also specifically why this country may or may not be successful as an applicant city for 2016. But the only reason Sharapova wore that outfit was because it was windy and COLD.
Anyway, it was a pleasure to watch Maria Sharapova last week, even if I was freezing. She is a true professional and a true champion. Her concentration is unbelievable. Wow.
Micheal David Smith - fact check please. Just because she is receiving the award from some gentlemen in local dress, don;t jump to such weird conclusions... Don't buy into the propaganda so easily dude.
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2-27-2008 @ 6:32PM
Zahid said...
I think this picture is not worth thousand words and someone is trying to just blame the "old and medival" arab culture for everything these days.
As mentioned above, if other women tennic players did play in not so modest clothes and no one had a problem with it, why would it matter if Maria dressed modestly?
If Qatar ever has summer olympics, which I highly doubt it will ever have because of the dogma sorrounding the middle east, they won't be able to dictate what kinds of clothes people wear... I grew up in Dubai which is Qatar's biggest competitor and I have seen women walking in bikinis on the beach and it is not a big issue in Dubai and other countries following the footsteps of Dubai like Qatar and Bahrain...
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3-04-2008 @ 5:17PM
adrian said...
hi there
are yougonna pick me upp
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3-07-2008 @ 4:21AM
bwealth000 said...
i want to see more women taking parts in events not just sport but in area like politics and more but in doing that it shouldn't be about the sexyness in them it should be about the strenght in them .and in other to encourage more women expecially those of them that feels runnin,jumpin in booty shoot tight pants is not ok or Godly this kind of dress will encourage them to come out to show their skills and strenght .
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3-11-2008 @ 1:19AM
Buffy said...
Hey!! Great post!!!
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3-15-2008 @ 8:07PM
GM said...
What was the story here? Qatar ASKS women to dress modestly, but have no dress code requirements? That's not a story and should have nothing to do with their Olympic bid.
If Qatar REQUIRED women to dress a certain way then that would actually be a story and should impact their chances of getting the Olympics, especially if there was any chance the dress code could affect performance. Even if all the women had to live with the same requirements there are other issues at stake, like world records.
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