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Iraq Banned From Competing

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The Associated Press

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 25, 2008

BAGHDAD - Just two weeks before the start of the Olympics, Iraq was told Thursday it's not welcome in Beijing because of a political feud in Baghdad that angered the games' guardians and exiled a country that arrived to a roaring ovation at the opening ceremony four years ago.

The International Olympic Committee told Iraqi sports officials in a letter that it would uphold its ban imposed in June after the government in Baghdad replaced its national Olympic panel with members not recognized by the IOC.

The IOC had called the move unacceptable government interference.

In Iraq, it also smacked of the lingering sectarian bitterness between the new Shiite power brokers and the Sunnis who were once favored under Saddam Hussein - whose son, Odai, ran the nation's Olympic committee as a personal fiefdom and was accused of torturing athletes who came up short.

"Clearly we'd very much like to have seen Iraq's athletes in Beijing," said IOC spokeswoman Giselle Davies. "We are very disappointed that the athletes have been so ill-served by their own government's actions."

Davies suggested there was still a possibility for last-ditch talks to salvage Iraq's place before the games open Aug. 8.

HARDY TESTS POSITIVE: Swimmer Jessica Hardy tested positive for a banned substance, leaving her just two weeks to pursue any appeals.

Hardy's "A" sample from the recent U.S. Olympic trials tested positive, a person familiar with the test results told The Associated Press on Wednesday night, saying the banned substance was a stimulant.

In Beijing, Hardy was expected to be a medal threat in the 100-meter breaststroke, and to play an important part on the U.S. 400-meter free relay team, and possibly the 400 medley relay.
USA Swimming spokeswoman Jamie Olson declined to comment.

Agent Evan Morgenstein told the AP that during a brief phone conversation with Hardy, she told him, "I never did anything wrong. I never cheated."

USA CONTINGENT: The USOC will send 596 athletes to the Beijing Games.

Swimmer Michael Phelps, gymnast Paul Hamm and sprinter Tyson Gay are among the 310 men on the team. Swimmer Dara Torres, gymnasts Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin and sprinter Allyson Felix are among the 286 women.

U.S. athletes will compete in 30 sports, including the newest disciplines - motocross, open-water swimming and women's steeplechase. The U.S. will send teams in women's field hockey for the first time since 1996 and baseball for the first time since 2000. Baseball goes off the Olympic program after the Beijing Games.

JAMES HEALING: U.S. forward LeBron James seems certain his mildly sprained right ankle will be healed by the time the Beijing Olympics open.

James likely will miss today's exhibition against Canada. Coach Mike Krzyzewski said it's not worth risking the Cleveland Cavaliers superstar in an exhibition.

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