Saudi Arabia has big dreams of hosting major global events, with the Olympics at the top of the list.
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According to reports, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal Al Saud, the Sports Minister, recently said that bringing the Games to Saudi Arabia is an "ultimate goal." But there's still a lot of uncertainty when it comes to the country’s policies, especially around LGBTQIA+ inclusion.
The kingdom has been hosting major global sporting events, spending big on boxing, Formula One, and esports.
They’re getting ready to host the 2034 Asian Games in Riyadh, which Prince Abdulaziz sees as a stepping stone to eventually bidding for the Summer Olympics.
He argues that Saudi Arabia has shown it can handle these events, but critics say this push is more about improving the country’s global image than making real progress.
Despite the excitement, there's a huge issue hanging over all these plans. Saudi Arabia has strict laws against LGBTQIA+ rights, raising questions about how it would comply with the Olympics' non-discrimination rules.
The Olympic Charter clearly states that discrimination based on sexual orientation is not allowed, which could create a major obstacle if Saudi Arabia moves forward with a serious bid.
The nation hasn't escaped criticism for its human rights record either. A recent case involved activist Salma al Shehab, who was sentenced to 34 years in prison for social media posts advocating reform.
Incidents like this add to concerns that Saudi Arabia’s ambitions for hosting global events are more about managing its image rather than driving real change.
Still, Prince Abdulaziz believes the country is making progress. He stated, “We're progressing, we're moving towards a better society. Hosting these events benefits our people and these changes that are happening.”