Iraq Athletes Back in Beijing Games

Only 2 will make the trip after IOC reverses its decision
By Laurel Jorgensen,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 29, 2008 9:11 PM CDT
Iraq Athletes Back in Beijing Games
An Iraqi guard closes the door of the entrance of the Olympic Committee in central Baghdad, Iraq, on Tuesday, May 27, 2008. Sports has been one of the few things unifying Iraqis in recent years.   (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)

Iraq can send athletes to the Olympics after all, but only two will be able to make the trip. The International Olympic Committee reversed its decision today to ban Iraq from the Games after Baghdad vowed to ensure the independence of its Olympics panel. Iraq will send a discus thrower and a sprinter to Beijing. Five other hopefuls in other sports missed the deadline to enter because of the IOC spat.

“We look forward to seeing the Iraqi flag in Beijing," said the IOC president. (More Iraq stories.)

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