Posted on 07/25/2008 1:48:29 AM PDT by Roy Tucker
ATHLETES from Iraq have been banned from taking part in this summer's Beijing Games, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) 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 the Games.
"We sent a letter to the Iraqi Government today saying that as the situation stands, today it is unlikely to have Iraqi athletes at the Beijing Games," said IOC spokesperson, Emmanuelle Moreau.
The General Secretary of the Iraqi Olympic Committee, Hussein al-Amidi, said: "This morning, we were informed of the final decision of the International Olympic Committee to suspend the membership of the Iraqi Olympic Committee.
"It's a final decision, there is no way to appeal. This means that Iraq will not take part in the coming Olympic Games. It is a blow to Iraq and its international reputation, its athletes and its youth.
"I swear those athletes who have been training, they phoned me today and they were crying and were very upset."
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.
The Iraqis can pride themselves of not being part of the Beijing Festival of Tyranny 2008. The US should boycott it aswell... just like any other self-respecting, free nation. Let the Chicoms celeberate with Russia, North Korea, Iran and Venzuela.
McCain could use this to his advantage as well.
I disagree. The original spirit of the Games was for cities to put aside their political differences for the athletes to compete. I think we should do the same. I thought at the time it was wrong for Jimmy Carter to boycott the Moscow Olympics in 1980. Literally, hundreds of athletes were robbed of their one chance to compete in the Olympics. I still think it was wrong. It was a weak action by a weak President and not surprising that Carter was no athlete.
Saying that, I think the IOC should be more careful to whom they award hosting the Olympics.
Is there bowling in the Olympics?
LOL!
The MSM has already awarded him the gold medal for that.
When you consider that under Saddam his sadistic son Uday was in charge of the Iraqi Olympic committee and would torture athletes who did not perform up to his expectations, the current committee deserves a break.
When will Iraq be welcomed back into the fold of nations? Dictatorships such as North Korea and Zimbabwe get to field Olympic teams.
No, but there's basketball! Is there room for one more on this year's team?
International Olympic Committee has a lot of nerve considering its own history of corruption. They’ve proven that any decision can be influenced if the price is right. I can think of several well-funded groups who would seek to marginalize the nation of Iraq.
Well said.
PUERRRRTO RRRRICO!!!!
I have been saying BOYCOTT since day one... but the chicoms have agents here on FR that attack when this is brought up. I despise the chicom hoard!
LLS
“Is there bowling in the Olympics?”
“No, but there’s basketball! Is there room for one more on this year’s team?”
Obama can’t be on an Olympic team, he might use his super powers!
Sorry, but Germany eliminated Puerto Rico in the qualifying round.
ARRRRGGHHHH!!!!!!!!
NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
Great! Thanks for the link. I’m glad for the Iraqi team, but IMO the Bejing location should have been boycotted by us nontheless.
I understand your feelings on that. I’d prefer it were somewhere else but I think a boycott just deprives American athletes an opportunity to realize their dreams and stick in the face of the hosts, sort of like Jesse Owens did to Hitler at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
Thinking about it you are probably right.
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