On June 29, the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) announced that it would now allow competitors to wear full-body unitards under the compulsory weightlifting attire.
IWF vice president Sam Coffa said: “The modified rule changes permit athletes to wear a one-piece, full-body, tight-fitted ‘unitard’ under the compulsory weightlifting costume. The unitard will enable technical officials to effectively adjudicate areas of the body which are essential to the correct execution of the lift.”
The decision came in response to the case of a Muslim-American weightlifter Kulsoom Abdullah. The 35-year-old Georgian, who holds a doctorate in engineering, was initially barred from entering this month’s US Senior Nationals in Council Bluffs, Iowa, because, as a faithful Muslim, she covers her arms, legs and head, violating international rules governing weight-lifting attire.
But last month, USA Weightlifting told Abdullah they would take her case to the IWF; shortly after, the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) offered the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) draft language for a policy change on Islamic attire for consideration by the IWF. The USOC agreed to ask the IWF’s technical committee to review a policy preventing Abdullah from competing in the USA Weightlifting Senior Nationals.
Abdullah herself submitted a 44-page presentation offering an alternative uniform that allowed judges to see whether or not her elbows and knees were properly locked without compromising her Muslim faith and modest dress. Her proposal was submitted to the IWF to consider a policy change for Islamic attire with the support of the United States Olympic Committee, the USA Weightlifting Federation, and the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
In his June 29 statement from Malaysia, IWF President Dr. Tamas Ajan said: “Weightlifting is an Olympic Sport open for all athletes to participate without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, or national origin in accordance with the principles of the Olympic Charter and values. This rule modification has been considered in the spirit of fairness, equality and inclusion.”
Ibrahim Hooper, the national communications director for CAIR welcomed the decision but brought up the fact that a15-year-old Canadian Muslim soccer referee was recently told she could not maintain her job if she continued to wear the hejab. Earlier this month, the Iranian women’s soccer team was barred from an Olympic qualifying match in Jordan because of the athletes’ attire.
As for Abdullah, she called the ruling a great victory. “I am hopeful for more participation in sports for women. I have a positive outlook on getting costume details finalized for Olympic Lifting competitions. Additionally, I hope other sporting organizations will follow example to allow greater inclusion and participation in their respective sport. One example is FIFA’s disqualification of the Iranian women’s team.”