Quote:
Originally Posted by DGG
Even hard core Christians have competed on Sundays. The British athlete Jonathan Edwards is one example.
I agree with you it is ridiculous.
If you want to show the glory of your faith and beliefs, compete for them even if it is Ramadan, Easter, or any other holiday. You cannot expect any Sport Event to be moved because you belong to a minority who think it should.
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Ramadan isn't just a holiday - you don't take food or drink from sunrise to sunset. I doubt that many athletes who observe Ramadan would be able to compete.
That being said, however ... the Olympics is usually held around the same time every year (give a day or two). It is not reasonable for Muslim athletes to expect the Oympic timetable to be altered to suit any religious requirement.
There can be some flexibility with fasting - there always has been. Muslim athletes who wish to compete in the 2012 Olympics, and Muslim communities, will need to think about whether an exemption can apply in the interest of international competition and goodwill. The rest of the world can't make the decision for them.
Making a big fuss about it and expecting the Olympic timetable to change one year on account of Ramadan is being a bit Prima Donna - ish.