Iraq banned from Beijing Games

THE International Olympic Committee (IOC) has confirmed a ban on Iraq from competing in the Beijing Games in a huge blow to seven Iraqi athletes who had hoped to travel to China this August, an IOC letter has said.

In the letter, dated July 23 and addressed to the Iraqi Minister of Youth and Sports Jassim Mohammed Jaafar, the IOC said it was moving ahead with a ban first imposed on Iraq’s athletes last month.

“In spite of all the joint efforts of IOC and OCA (Olympic Council of Asia), over the last months to find a positive solution with the Iraqi government authorities, we regretfully inform you that the decision of the IOC executive board dated June 4, 2008, to suspend the National Olympic Committee of Iraq is confirmed,” said the letter, a copy of which was obtained by the AFP news agency.