Via Translating Jihad:
Popular Egyptian Shaykh Muhammad al-‘Arifi last week called on the Saudi government to ban women from participating in the Olympic games, because it is “forbidden.” Al-‘Arifi explained that women are permitted in Islam to play sports, just not when they might mingle with men, or any men might be watching. He also described it as a slippery slope which could lead to women taking off their hijabs or tightening their clothes.
Al-‘Arifi also stated that “Prince Nawaf would not like his wife or daughter to participate, and thus he should likewise be eager to protect the reputation and virtue of his Muslim sisters.” Of course there’s nothing wrong with trying to protect people’s virtue and reputation; however, the fact that this only applies to women and not men is telling. Women under Islam are seen as sex objects only, which is why a man’s female relatives must be covered up and controlled at all times in order to protect the family’s honor.