I mentioned this in another thread, but thought it might warrant a thread of its own.
According to multiple sites (including this one:
http://www.when-is.com/ramadan-2012.asp
), Ramadan in 2012 will be roughly from 20 July to 18 August. (Those who observe will actually begin at sunset on 19 July in some areas.)
Meanwhile, the Olympic dates are 27 July-12 Aug 2012:
More info about the conflicting dates here:
http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/2012_Olympics_clash_with_Ramadan
Be it noted: "The International Olympics Committee has specified that the games must take place between July 15 to August 31." Hence there would be at least a partial conflict with Ramadan, no matter what part of that time window the London organizers chose.
I'm REALLY looking forward to all the tearjerking human-interest stories about athletes confronting the conflict between their religion and their competition--not. Looks like I won't be watching this Olympics, either...
And I have a question: What will all the East African runners who've, um, "emigrated" to Arabic countries do? Will they be pressured to fast (given the publicity and all), even if they're not adherents of the religion?
Boy, Hitchens was right: religion really does poison everything.