Confusion Over Saudi Arabian Participation; London Hotel Rooms Available for Olympics

Confusion Over Saudi Arabian Participation

The IOC tells Around the Rings that talks with the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee are still "ongoing" to ensure the participation of Saudi women at the Games, despite reports the Gulf state has agreed to send female athletes to the Olympics for the first time.

The Saudi embassy had said in a statement Sunday that the kingdom was "looking forward to its complete participation in the London 2012 Olympic Games through the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee, which will oversee the participation of women athletes who can qualify for the Games".

But the head of the kingdom's Olympic mission, Khalid al-Dakheel, told Reuters he was not aware of any change in Saudi Arabia's ban on allowing women to compete at the Olympics. Saudi's religious conservatives object to the participation of women in sports.

With just one month to go until the Games open, the IOC's statement suggests the sensitive negotiations may still have some way to go. The United Nations has also been applying pressure on Saudi's rulers to send a minimum of one or two female representatives to London.

Human rights groups are calling for Saudi Arabia to be banned from the Games if the kingdom does not permit women athletes to take part.

Saudi Arabia is one of only three countries never to field a female Olympian. The others, Qatar and Brunei, are already committed to sending women athletes to compete at London 2012.

London Hotel Rooms Still Available

Visitors travelling to London for the Olympics can still choose from a wide range of hotels. ATR has learned that there is still a great deal of availability in the city.

A spokesperson for the British Hospitality Association told ATR that while the majority of hotels in central London will be full for the Games, most hotels in the outer area have "availability at all levels".

There were concerns that the high accommodation costs might put potential visitors off making the trip to London – but these were dismissed by the BHA.

"The prices are at a level that is normal for a busy period of the year," the spokesperson said. "I don’t think the prices have affected people booking. Nearer the Games more rooms will be booked up so I would warn people not to leave it too late."

The BHA also added that in certain cases there were still deals to be found in central London – but only for those who are quick enough to snap them up.

Typical British Weather for Olympics

London's Met Office tells ATR that the weather for London 2012 looks likely to be typically British with patches of rain alternating with moments of sunshine.

The Games-time forecast shows that close to the July 27 opening of the Olympics, the weather will balance out to close to the seasonal average of rainfall. But there will be a rise in temperature from the cold summer the U.K. has been enduring so far.

A spokesperson for the Met Office told ATR that it was premature to say what the weather would be like for the opening ceremony itself. "It’s far too early to give any detail about what weather we will see during London 2012 – however we will provide full and detailed forecasts closer to the time."

One of LOCOG’s main concerns during the outdoor test events was the unpredictability of the weather.

But London 2012 officials do have contingency "mops" and "covers" to deal with any adverse conditions.

British film director Danny Boyle’s opening ceremony was revealed earlier this month to be using artificial clouds and rain – but after a period of stormy and unsettled weather conditions in the U.K., he might get the real thing instead.

Water Polo Athletes Unveiled

The British Olympic Association announced Monday that 26 athletes – 13 male and 13 female – will represent Team GB in the water polo competitions at London 2012. Great Britain have been absent from the competition since 1956.

With the announcement, 314 athletes have officially been selected to Team GB. Another 235 will be unveiled in the coming days and weeks.

Football Competition A Month Away

It's one month until the first action of the Olympics. Team GB's women footballers take on New Zealand at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, two days before the opening ceremony.

Six women's football matches are scheduled to take place across Britain on July 25. The men's football competition starts on July 26.

Reported by Mark Bisson and Christian Radnedge

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