PENANG, Malaysia (AP) — Weightlifting’s world governing body has agreed to modify its clothing rules to accommodate a Muslim women competing for the United States.
Kulsoom Abdullah of Atlanta has been barred from entering higher-level U.S. competitions. Her Muslim faith requires that she covers her arms, legs and head, which violates international rules governing weightlifting attire.
USA Weightlifting took her case to the International Weightlifting Federation this month, and the organization agreed Wednesday to a rule change.
The IWF says it will now allow athletes to wear a “one-piece, full-body, tight-fitted ‘unitard’ under the compulsory weightlifting costume.”
IWF president Tamas Ajan says “the modification has been considered in the spirit of fairness, equality and inclusion.”
