Saudi female sports pundit to carry Olympic flame

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - A Saudi Arabian female sports commentator in the ultraconservative Muslim country says she will be one of the 8,000 people who will carry the Olympic flame for the 2012 London Games.

Reema Abdullah said Wednesday she was notified by London organizers of her role two days ago when a street-by-street map of the 8,000-mile route for the Olympic torch was presented.

Abdullah, who is also an amateur soccer player, is leading a campaign in Saudi Arabia to allow women to participate in sports and compete internationally.

Saudi Arabia has never included women in its Olympic teams.

The IOC says progress has been made with Saudi officials to send women to the Olympics for the first time in London.