Saudi Arabia will let its female athletes compete in the Olympics for the first time

Until now, Saudi Arabia was one of three countries that did not allow women to participate in the games.
The other two -- Qatar and Brunei -- also reversed course this year and said they will send athletes to the London games that begin July 27.
Getting to the decision is a rare concession for a kingdom where women are banned from driving.

They also cannot vote or hold public office, though that will change in 2015.

Women in Saudi Arabia also cannot marry, leave the country, go to school or open bank accounts without permission from a male guardian, who usually is the father or husband. Much of public life is segregated by gender.
When it came to sports, female athletes were barred from the Olympic games because they would be participating in front of a mixed-gender crowd.