Qatar to send first women to 2012 Olympics

DOHA, Qatar – Qatar says it will send women athletes to the Olympics for the first time at the London Games.

Sheik Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, the general secretary of the Qatar Olympic Committee, says the IOC has offered Qatar wild card invitations for two female athletes to compete in London — swimmer Nada Arkaji and sprinter Noor al-Malki.

Al Thani says the number of female entrants from Qatar could rise to four.

Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Brunei have never sent women athletes to an Olympics.

Qatar made its announcement Monday as it released details of Doha's bid to host the 2020 Games.