IOC Bans Iraq From The Olympics

[babylonsister]

This is really sad for the athletes who've trained so hard in a war zone. :(

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2008/07/ioc_says_no_iraq_team_will_go.php

IOC says no Iraq team will go to Beijing

IOC says no Iraq team will go to Beijing in dispute over government interference

Staff
AP News

Jul 24, 2008 10:22 EST


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.

[ceile]

1. That's too bad.

Would have a nice bright spot in their otherwise miserable lives.

[Behind the Aegis]

2. This is sad!

For a group that claims not to get involved in politics, it sure looks like they did and the athletes suffered for it.

[underseasurveyor]

3. That is just SO wrong

Extenuating circumstances... hello IOC these people have had their country ravaged by an illegal invasion. Geez:eyes: Fucker!:grr:

[Poiuyt]

4. Sprinter reveals what it's like in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- A few months ago, it seemed liked nothing could stop Iraqi sprinter Dana Hussain from representing her country in the upcoming Summer Olympics.

==

"She hasn't stopped. It's like finding out that a close relative has died," said her coach, Yousif Abdul Rahman.

Abdul Rahman attempted to console Hussain by assuring her that she could compete in the 2012 Olympics.

"In this horrible situation," she said, "who can say I'll even be alive in 2012?"

more -

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/07/24/iraq.olympics/index.html

[EFerrari]

5. You'd think these bastards would have the decency to let the kids compete.

So disgusting.