Why? Does anyone know? I only saw a *this just in* headline on CNN with no details...
Posted by Tigerlily (Member # 3567) on :
Page last updated at 14:03 GMT, Thursday, 24 July 2008 15:03 UK
Iraq banned from Beijing Olympics
Athletes from Iraq have been banned from taking part at this summer's Olympic 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.
"This morning we were informed of the final decision of the International Olympic Committee to suspend the membership of the Iraqi Olympic Committee," said Hussein al-Amidi, the general secretary of the Iraqi Olympic Committee.
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.
that really sucks donkey docks cas man they could have been great athletes.... politics suck just like that one girl that disapperaed she was from afganastan!!! did they ever find her tiger?
Posted by Myra Wysinger (Member # 10126) on :
This is so sad. I agree with Tina, "politics suck".
On Friday, another Iraqi government official said the country was doing what it could to reverse the ban, but acknowledged that "chances are slim" for a change.
Several Iraqi athletes were to travel to China for the games' start in August. Iraqi sprinter Dana Hussain cried for hours after hearing the news of the ban on Thursday, which arrived in the form of a letter to Iraqi officials. "She hasn't stopped. It's like finding out that a close relative has died," said her coach, Yousif Abdul Rahman.
.
Posted by Grumman (Member # 14051) on :
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.
Banning them will undoubtedly save their lives if they participated and returned to Iraq.
The Iraqi government said it took the move because the committee was corrupt and had not been functioning properly.
This is probably a diplomatic way of saying the committee is full of killers... or at least those whom would give the orders to others to kill.
Posted by hairy grape (Member # 15602) on :
very sad and unfair
Posted by Strangeways. (Member # 14842) on :
Update:
In reversal, Olympic panel rules Iraq participate in Beijing games By FRANK JORDANS , Associated Press Last update: July 29, 2008 - 4:13 PM
LAUSANNE, Switzerland - The International Olympic Committee ruled Tuesday that Iraq could participate in the Beijing games, reversing itself after Baghdad pledged to ensure the independence of its national Olympics panel.
The decision followed last-minute talks between Iraqi officials and the IOC ahead of Wednesday's deadline to submit competitors' names for track and field events. The Olympics begin Aug. 8.
Iraq's National Olympic Committee was dissolved by the Baghdad government in May, prompting the IOC to suspend the Mideast country from the Olympics for political interference.
The IOC had insisted the old committee be reinstated even though four members were kidnapped two years ago. Their fates remain unknown.
A compromise was worked out after mediators from Germany and China became involved in talks, and Iraq pledged to hold free elections for its national Olympic committee under international observation.
quote:Originally posted by tina kamal: just like that one girl that disapperaed she was from afganastan!!! did they ever find her tiger?
Yes, infact she did show up again!
Mahbooba Ahadgar, who was the only Afghan female scheduled to be competing in the Beijing Olympic Games next month, has resurfaced after going missing in Italy last week and is en route to Norway, where she will be seeking asylum....
As a result the team of two rowers, two sprinters, one archer, one weightlifter and one judo competitor cannot attend.
Update
31 July 2008
A double-sculls crew will compete under the Iraqi flag at the 2008 Beijing Games. This welcome news brings the Iraqi team up to four, including a female sprinter and a male discus-thrower.