Iraq's Olympians won't compete
Associated Press
Originally published 09:33 a.m., July 24, 2008
Updated 09:33 a.m., July 24, 2008
LAUSANNE, Switzerland — The International Olympic Committee says Iraq will not compete at Beijing because of Iraqi government interference.
The IOC suspended Iraq’s national Olympic committee in June after Baghdad dismissed elected officials and installed its own people who are not recognized by the IOC.
The IOC Charter forbids political interference in the Olympic movement.
Iraq missed a Wednesday deadline to submit a team for the Aug. 8-24 Beijing Games because of a stalemate between the two sides. Four Iraqi athletes were expected to compete in archery, judo, rowing and weightlifting.
The IOC says the Iraqi government did not accept an invitation to come to its headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, to try to end the dispute.
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July 24, 2008
2:55 p.m.
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HolierThanThou writes:
I wish the IOC would be nice and give the Iraqis a little more time. Do they know how long it takes for Iraq's officials to get a pass to leave the country? Not to mention the elaborate security arrangements needed to get them from the green zone to the airport...
Iraq has been through the wringer. The least we can do is let their athletes compete in the Olympics.