Disappointment for Iraq....

According to the announcement from International Olympic Committee, athletes from Iraq have been banned from taking part at this summer's Beijing Games. The already existing interim ban is now extended to full ban. The Olympic committee of Iraq was under the attack of political influence from the country itself. Under the IOC charter, all committees must be free of political influence. As Iraq finds difficulty in avoiding the politics in the committee, IOC decided not to give ticket for the country.

Iraq had been planning to send a team seven athletes in five different events to the Olympics which start on 8 August. Two rowers, a weightlifter, a sprinter, a discus thrower, a judoka and an archer were ready to go to Beijing.

"The deadline for taking up places for Beijing for all sports except athletics has now passed," said IOC spokeswoman Giselle Davies.

Hussein al-Amidi, the general secretary of the Iraqi Olympic Committee, replied to the qustion in a press conference :

"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 Iraq government had dissolved the National Olympic Committee in May. Interim IOC ban was put in place from 4 June, which is now extended to full ban. The committee from 2004 was dismissed in 2006,which was in line with the Olympic movement's regulations. The committee members are not seen since 2006, including Ahmad al-Samarra'i, chairman of the committee.

Anyway the doors are almost closed for the Iraqi team for olympics '08.....