BAGHDAD, Iraq, July 29, 2008
Olympic Reversal: Iraq Can Go To Games
IOC Ends Ban After Iraqi Government Ensures Independence Of Its National Olympic Panel
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The decision came after last-minute talks during which an Iraqi government delegation pledged to hold free elections for its national Olympic committee under international observation.
The deadline to submit competitors' names for athletics events expires Wednesday.
Iraq is expected to send two athletes to Beijing. Five others lost their chance to go when the final date to select competitors for archery, judo, rowing and weightlifting passed last week.
"The National Olympic Committee will have fair elections before the end of November," said Pere Miro, head of the IOC's department for relations with national Olympic committees.
Until then, Iraq's Olympic organization will be run by an interim committee proposed by its national sports federations and approved by the IOC, he said.
"We want to forget all the past," Iraq's government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh told The Associated Press after signing the agreement in front of journalists. "We want to have real representation for the Iraqi teams and the Iraqi supporters."
The IOC suspended Iraq in May citing political interference in the country's national Olympic committee, which the government had dissolved over allegations of corruption.
Basil Abdul Mahdi, an adviser to the Ministry of Youth and Sport, said last week there would be "no retreat" in Baghdad's decision to replace the disbanded Olympic committee. The hardline stance prompted concern that Iraq would not be represented in Beijing.
But eight-hour talks at the IOC's headquarters in Lausanne on Tuesday involving Miro and Husain al-Musallam, director-general of the Olympic Council of Asia, produced a breakthrough, allowing Iraq to have two competitors in the athletics events.
Hours before the talks, a delegation of Iraqi groups in Switzerland came to the IOC headquarters to deliver a letter to Olympic officials expressing dismay at their country's suspension and requesting the decision be overturned.
Fast Fact
Ahmed Tabour, head of the Iraqi Cultural and Sports Committee in Switzerland, said his country was being treated unfairly by the IOC.Iraq is expected to send two athletes to Beijing.
"Iraq was never suspended during the days of Saddam (Hussein), who personally appointed the national Olympic committee," he told The Associated Press. "The Iraqi people need hope, and sport gives them a lot of hope."
The IOC last suspended Iraq in May 2003 - weeks after U.S.-led troops toppled Saddam's regime. That ban occurred after the IOC learned of the abuse of athletes by Saddam's son Uday, the country's former Olympic chief.
The suspension was lifted a year later, allowing Iraq to take part in the 2004 Summer Games in Athens where it fielded a team of 25 athletes.
Iraq's soccer team made it to the semifinals, prompting celebrations throughout a country where violence has claimed the lives of athletes, coaches and staff.
The Olympic cycling coach, national wrestling coach, a soccer federation member and a prominent volleyball player have been killed, most in 2006 during the height of sectarian slayings.
The two athletes who will represent Iraq this year have benefited from an IOC solidarity program that allowed them to train at sports facilities abroad, IOC spokeswoman Emmanuelle Moreau said.
Although the duo failed to meet the qualifying standards to go to Beijing, they were allowed to take part under the IOC's wild card program designed to ensure every country is represented at the games.
The fact that they are unlikely to add to Iraq's overall tally of one bronze medal since its first appearance at the Summer Olympics in 1948 is no great concern, said al-Dabbagh.
"Sport is really important for us in Iraq right now," he said. "It brings the people together."
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I think they have a pretty good soccer team.
If they''re going to let them in, then do it so they have enough time to get a team entered! Don''t decide at the last minute to let them in! It''s not fair to them, their fans, or the intl community!
In the spirit of the Olympics, good luck ''team Iraq''!
But, you''re going to get your rears kicked, by at least, the USA! Or, you better!
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Posted by XmanBorg at 05:14 PM : Jul 29, 2008
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The fact that Iraq is participating makes them winners.
Best of luck at the Games!
Posted by stn_sage at 05:51 PM : Jul 29, 2008
Something is wrong I am agreeing with you again. I think under the circumstances Iraq should be given all the time they need(within reason) to send as many Athletes as possible to the Olympics, it would go a long way in helping Iraq heal. These people need something they can take pride in.
Posted by dmw1167 at 06:49 PM : Jul 29, 2008
I am very glad to see you two post what you have above. Iraq needs something to start healing with the rest of the World. If that is possible I say let them go.
They should have waited for full independence, before sending a team to the Olympics.
I always thought it was wrong that East Germany sent a team. They were not an independent state at that time.
But this is just my opinion.
David Petraeus and Ryan Crocker, in the two man synchronized swimming event.
They should have waited for full independence, before sending a team to the Olympics.
I always thought it was wrong that East Germany sent a team. They were not an independent state at that time.
But this is just my opinion.
Posted by erb0087 at 02:37 AM : Jul 30, 2008
I KIND OF AGREE WITH WHAT YOU SAY. ON THE OTHER HAND MAYBE IT WILL GIVE THEM SOME SENSE OF DOING SOMETHING WORTH WHILE. EVEN IF THEY DON''T WIN ANYTHING THEY WILL HAVE AT LEAST BEEN ABLE TO DO THE BEST THEY COULD DO.
They should have waited for full independence, before sending a team to the Olympics.
I always thought it was wrong that East Germany sent a team. They were not an independent state at that time.
But this is just my opinion.
Posted by erb0087 at 02:37 AM : Jul 30, 2008
I KIND OF AGREE WITH WHAT YOU SAY. ON THE OTHER HAND MAYBE IT WILL GIVE THEM SOME SENSE OF DOING SOMETHING WORTH WHILE. EVEN IF THEY DON''T WIN ANYTHING THEY WILL HAVE AT LEAST BEEN ABLE TO DO THE BEST THEY COULD DO.
The IOC is ever compliant with dictators--wouldn''t want to interrupt the gravy train cash flow to this unaccountable group!
Posted by hbevis
IRAQ has more sovereignty then any occupied nation on earth ever has. There has never been and occupied country that receives Billions from the occupier. The Line of *** from the Anti-American Democrats like hbevis is just another ****** about America and a reason to take this story and make it about Bush.
Posted by demslie2u at 07:55 AM : Jul 30, 2008
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Please. sir. You owe hbevis an apology.
hbevis was quoting me.
Of course they should not have expelled Iraq for political reasons but once they did it, they should have stood their ground.
Cowards trying to be brave!
Honestly I don''t know why the athletes don''t boycott the Olympics.. Poor air quality because of pollution, human rights violations in China and all the other cr@p that china pulls.. But I guess it is all about $$$$$$$$$....
I know I won''t be watching the Olympics..
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by stn_sage
July 30, 2008 12:05 PM PDT
- With all the money that Bush and Bremer passed out on the streets of Baghdad and/or "lost" over there---
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Reply to this comment
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See all 19 CommentsThe Iraqis should be able to buy their way onto the victors'' stand and be declared winners of the ''Games!