Iraq Out of the Olympics

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced that Iraq will not be allowed to take part in the upcoming Olympics.

This is the result of the Iraqi government replacing the country's Olympic committee with its own appointees.

The IOC expresses regret that no Iraqi athletes will be at the Olympics, and says they have been "ill-served" by their governments actions.

The Iraqi government has claimed that the original committee was corrupt and was not working properly. According to IOC regulations, committees must be free of political influence.

The real victims are the athletes who've been training hard and looking forward to participating in the Olympics. At least 7 athletes were slotted to take part. Iraqi sprinter Dana Hussain broke down and cried when she heard the news of the ban.

It's also a blow for Iraq in its journey to regain some semblance of normalcy as a nation.

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British Gold Medallist Linford Christie Says to Ignore Politics at Olympics

British Gold Medallist Linford Christie Says to Ignore Politics at Olympics

Linford Christie, 47, who won the gold medal at the 1992 Olympics for the 100 metre sprint, has called on athletes to concentrate on their sport in the Beijing Olympics. He will be in Beijing as a coach.

China's politics, foreign policy and human rights record have caused some people to make critical comments.

The British Olympic Association want competitors to stay away from political demonstrations and propaganda. This has not gone down well with some, who say that athletes like anybody else must enjoy free speech.

I think it's right that every one should enjoy free speech, but it would be deceptive to go to a host country in the role of an Olympian athlete and then cause political friction. I think Christie's attitude is the right one.

Sports and Politics
Keeping Sports and Politics Separate