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| Iraq banned from Beijing Olympics | |
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| Topic Started: Jul 27 2008, 08:08 AM (109 Views) | |
| Sayf Udeen Ismaeel | Jul 27 2008, 08:08 AM Post #1 |
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Iraq banned from Beijing Olympics Seven Iraqi athletes from five different sports qualified for the Olympics Athletes from Iraq have been banned from taking part at this summer's Beijing Games, the International Olympic Committee has announced. The team was already the subject of an interim ban after the Iraqi government replaced the country's Olympic committee with its own appointees. Under the IOC charter, all committees must be free of political influence. As a result the team of two rowers, two sprinters, one archer, one weightlifter and one judo competitor cannot attend. "We sent a letter to the Iraqi government today saying that as the situation stands today it is unlikely to have Iraqi athletes at the Beijing Games," said IOC spokesperson Emmanuelle Moreau. Hussein al-Amidi, the general secretary of the Iraqi Olympic Committee, said: "This morning we were informed of the final decision of the International Olympic Committee to suspend the membership of the Iraqi Olympic Committee. "It's a final decision, there is no way to appeal. This means that Iraq will not take part in the coming Olympic games. "It is a blow to Iraq and its international reputation, its athletes and its youth. "I swear those athletes who have been training... they phoned me today and they were crying and were very upset." The committee which the government dismissed was elected in 2004, in line with the Olympic movement's regulations. Its chairman, Ahmad al-Samarra'i, and several other members were abducted by gunmen while attending a meeting in central Baghdad in July 2006. They have not been seen since. The Iraqi government said it took the move because the committee was corrupt and had not been functioning properly. |
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5:59 AM Dec 8
