Kazakhstan athletes will not fast during Olympics

Kazakhstan athletes will observe the sawm (muslim fast) after the London Olympic Games, Tengrinews.kz reports, citing Masa.kz. The Olympic Games will kick off on July 27 and finish on August 12. The holy month of Ramadan will start on July 20. “We will stay in London for 10 days, and it is very difficult to observe the sawm during the tournament,” Almat Kebyspayev, Greco-Roman Wrestling Championship gold and bronze medals winner who will take part in the Olympics said. “We are training every day, and there are some “allowances” in Islam for athletes. If a Muslim travels or takes part in sport competitions he or she may observe the fast later. I will observe the sawm right after the Olympics,” the athlete said. Kazakhstan boxer Daniyar Yeleussinov, 2010 Asian Games winner, also said that he would keep the Muslim fast after the competition is over. Dauren Zhumagaziyev, free-style wrestling championship bronze-winner who will represent Kazakhstan at the London Olympic Games is still undecided about fasting. “I’d like to consult the spiritual leaders who are experts in this issue and then I will make up my mind,” the athlete said. 115 Kazakhstan athletes have qualified for London Olympics Games. Sawm is an Arabic word for fasting regulated by Islamic jurisprudence. In the terminology of Islamic law, sawm means to abstain from eating, drinking (including water), having sex and anything against Islamic law (Ithm). The observance of sawm during the Islamic Holy Month of Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, but is not confined to that month.