The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Tuesday (July 31st) approved Saudi judo competitor Wojdan Shaherkani to fight at the Olympics after resolving a row over the wearing of a hijab, AFP reported.

"The judo federation will allow her to wear something on her head which will not compromise her safety […] It is a solution that is acceptable to all parties," the IOC said.

Last week, International Judo Federation president Marius Vizer had ordered Shaherkani to compete with her head uncovered for safety reasons.

The order sparked a row with Saudi Arabia, which had only agreed to send a women's team to London on the condition these women respect a strict dress code. Saudi officials then threatened to pull the judo fighter out of the London Games if she was forced to compete with her head uncovered.

However, the IOC confirmed that a compromise had been found between the International Judo Federation (IJF) and the Saudi National Olympic Committee.

Shaherkani will fight Puerto Rico's Melissa Mojica, ranked 13th in the world, in the first round on Friday.