Iraq
Two more Iraq athletes heading to Beijing
After the IOC lifted its from Iraq from competing at the Beijing Olympics, two more athletes are now allowed to compete: rowers Haidar Nozad and Hamzah Hussein Jebur in the men’s doubles sculls.
They were given permission as their places were yet to be filled by other athletes. Iraq has pledged to hold free elections [...]
Iraq back in the Olympics
It is good to hear that the ban on Iraq competing in the Beijing Olympics has been over-turned.
The bad is news however, is that only two of the seven athletes will be competing: Haidar Nasir in the discus and sprinter Danma Hussein, with the other athletes missing the qualifying deadline.
“We look forward to [...]
Iraq banned from the Olympics
It is sad for me to report that Iraq has been banned from competing in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Olympic organizers and IOC often repeat the mantra that the Olympics is not about politics, but I think we all know that this is not the case.
The reason for the ban is that the “government [...]
Iraq might miss out on Olympics
The IOC has suspended Iraq’s national committee putting their team’s place in the Beijing Olympics in jeopardy. It is difficult to understand exactly what is happening but the reason the IOC has stated is due to political interference by the government.
“The Iraqi national Olympic committee is suspended on a provisional basis … as a [...]
Iraq football team out of Olympics
It is unfortunate but Iraq’s football team won’t be able to compete in the Beijing Olympics after FIFA suspended them from their football federation.
The decision to ban the team comes after Iraq’s government dissolved the country’s National Olympic Committee (NOC).
“We have asked the government to withdraw its decision against the Iraq Football Association and we [...]
Iraq’s dreams for the Beijing Olympics
Despite the turmoil the country is in Iraq has managed to qualify one team in the Beijing Paralympics. The Iraqi volleyball team is hoping to emulate disable Iraqi weightlifter Faris Saadoun who won a gold medal in Athens in 2004.
“The thirst for a challenge has helped us to do what able-bodied Iraqi athletes have [...]
