"The female participation in the Olympics is a symbolic leap forward, but in order for it not to remain symbolic it's really for the Saudi authorities to start acting, " Wilcke said.
CNN: Will Saudi women make Olympics debut?
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Wilcke believes the move is a "very positive" development.
CNN: Will Saudi women make Olympics debut?
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"Without policy changes to allow women and girls to play sports and compete within the kingdom, little can change for millions of women and girls deprived of sporting opportunities, " said its senior Middle East researcher Christoph Wilcke.