The Olympics have arrived, bringing scandals over dirty water and inspiration with stories of refugee athletes. But one Arab country drew attention as their team members made their way into the stadium, The Independent reported.
As each team was led into the Maracana, they were preceded by a tricycle bearing the name of their country. And many couldn't help but notice that the Saudi team was rather awkwardly being led out by a woman driving the tricycle.
A female driver. The Saudis won't be happy about that pic.twitter.com/bcrUyfoASt
— Nooruddean (@BeardedGenius) August 5, 2016
Women are banned from driving in Saudi Arabia, although in 2013 the country ruled that women were permitted to ride bicycles - but only in parks or other recreation areas and only when accompanied by a male guardian.
Saudi Arabia only allowed women to compete in the Olympics in the 2012 Olympic games in London.
This year in Rio, four of the 12 Saudi athletes are women: 100 meter runner Kariman Abuljadayel, marathon runner Sarah Attar, fencer Lubna Al-Omair, and judoka Wujud Fahmi.
