Thursday, January 17, 2008

DC High Schooler Disqualified From Track Meet Because of Muslim Dress

Yesterday's Washington Post reports that D.C. high school senior Juashaunna Kelly-- the fastest mile and two mile runner in DC this season-- was disqualified from the Montgomery Invitational indoor track and field meet because her attempt to comply with Muslim dress requirements was said to violate uniform rules for the national competition. Kelly was wearing a custom-made, one-piece blue and orange unitard with long sleeves and long legs. On top of the unitard, Kelly wore the same orange and blue T-shirt and shorts as her teammates. Meet director Tom Rogers said that Kelly needed to wear a plain T-shirt over her unitard and then wear her team uniform over that in order to meet the requirements of the National Federation of State High School Associations. [Thanks to Steve Jamar via Religionlaw for the lead.]