Procrustus in London

A woman from Saudi Arabia, Wojdan Shaherkani, entered the Olympic judo competition this week. Her opponent was Melissa Mojica, one of the world's top judoka in the heavyweight category. Shaherkani had never participated in an international judo bout before. Ever. She was invited to the Olympics in a symbolic attempt to "strike a blow for women's rights in Saudi Arabia." She was the first woman to participate for Saudi Arabia in history.

She lasted 82 seconds but, on the brighter side, she was not hurt. But it was interesting to see the Olympics in a nonathletic light. Here was a woman in competition who had no reason--other than vague and symbolic ones-- to be there. And Jordyn Wieber was not in the individual gymnastic competition in spite of having every reason to be there.

And so we distort and compromise the nature of things to accommodate our desires. And nothing is what it seems or should be.