Qatari female athlete to hold flag at London Games

DOHA, Qatar – Qatar's Olympic Committee says one of the Gulf nation's first female athletes to compete at the games will be the flag-bearer for the opening ceremony in London.

The committee said late Wednesday on Twitter that shooter Bahiya al-Hamad has been chosen to "raise the Qatar flag at London 2012."

Along with Saudi Arabia and Brunei, Qatar has never previously sent female athletes to the Olympics. It is not yet clear if the other two countries will send women to the London Games.

Al-Hamad is one of three Qatari women set to compete in London. She received a wild-card invitation after winning three gold and two silver medals at the 2011 Arab Games.

Swimmer Nada Arkaji and sprinter Noor al-Malki had also been given wild cards.