( CNN ) -- One of the great Olympic ideals is the importance of taking part , bringing together athletes of all backgrounds from all around the world . But not everyone has had the chance to compete . Saudi Arabia is one of only three countries -- along with Qatar and Brunei -- which have never sent female athletes to an Olympic Games . That may change in London this year after a groundbreaking meeting with Olympic and Saudi officials , but it raises a bigger question -- are the Arab kingdom 's women actually ready to compete in top international sporting competitions ? The plan , at this stage , is to send Saudi women to the UK capital for the July 27-August 12 event . The International Olympic Committee ( IOC ) met with Saudi Arabian Olympic officials this week . `` A list of potential female athletes for the Games was presented . This will now be studied by the IOC together with the relevant International Sports Federations in order to assess the level of each athlete , '' ran a statement on the IOC 's website . It 's a significant development , says Rima Maktabi , host of CNN 's Inside the Middle East , but the move might come a bit too late for Saudi Arabia 's female athletes . `` When you talk to Saudi women , even those who are professionals , they tell you that they are not even qualified , '' Maktabi said . `` We 're not even close , '' says Lina Al-Maeena , co-founder of Jeddah United Sports Company . `` At this point , we are trying to make it on a national level , integrate into public schools and then maybe compete on a regional level before we even think of the Olympics , '' Al-Maeena , who is also captain of the Saudi women 's basketball team , told CNN . Al-Maeena says that Qatar and Brunei 's non-participation at the Beijing Olympics four years ago was n't because they did n't allow women to compete , but rather their female athletes just were n't at the required Olympic standard . `` We will need a long time , '' she concedes . Saudi Arabia is a conservative country which has historically failed to promote women 's participation in sport , says Christoph Wilcke of Human Rights Watch . `` Government policy has n't been effectively challenged -- there is a predominant conservative view in society that does n't afford women equality in a number of issues , including sports , '' Wilcke , senior researcher in the organization 's Middle East and North Africa Division , told CNN . The IOC says an assessment of each athlete 's capabilities will make up part of a formal proposal which will be submitted to the IOC Executive Board next meeting which takes place in Quebec in May . `` The IOC is confident that Saudi Arabia is working to include women athletes and officials at the Olympic Games in London in accordance with the International Federations ' rules , '' the IOC said . Wilcke believes the move is a `` very positive '' development . `` I think international public pressure by the IOC and public media pressure helped get us where we are today , '' he said . `` The goal has to be trying to open up the possibilities , the access for women to sports in Saudi Arabia . '' But he added a note of caution . `` 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 . `` If sporting opportunities truly increase , I think it will have a broader impact on life for women . '' Maktabi said recent Saudi government reforms , aimed at putting more women in the workforce , gave them encouragement for a greater role in society . `` There is high unemployment , it is 17 % across Saudi Arabia -- 7 % among men , and 28 % among women , '' she said . `` But it is interesting that 55-57 % of the university graduates are women . So Saudi women are ready . This decision is quite symbolic -- even if it 's only on the sports level , it will reflect on all levels in Saudi Arabia , on the economy . `` Definitely it will get women more involved . However , women are battling with conservative views . Many people in Saudi Arabia think it 's un-Islamic to work , un-Islamic to be in sports . `` Even some of these ladies I saw , among the sports team , they had to veil just to prove that they are conservative , very Islamic and traditional , but that they can play sports and compete internationally . ''
Saudi Arabia and IOC meeting to consider female participation at 2012 London Games . IOC report having a `` very constructive '' meeting with Saudi officials earlier this month . But female Saudi basketball captain says country 's athletes are not near level required . Human Rights Watch describe move as `` positive '' but sporting opportunities must `` truly increase ''