IOC allows Iraq to send athletes to Beijing
The International Olympic Committee ruled Tuesday that Iraq could participate in the Beijing games, reversing itself after Baghdad pledged to ensure the independence of its national Olympics panel.
The decision, made in Lausanne, Switzerland, followed last-minute talks between Iraqi officials and the IOC ahead of today’s deadline to submit competitors’ names for track and field events. The Olympics begin Aug. 8.
Iraq’s National Olympic Committee was dissolved by the Baghdad government in May, prompting the IOC to suspend the Mideast country from the Olympics for political interference.
The IOC had insisted the old committee be reinstated even though four members were kidnapped two years ago. Their fates remain unknown.
A compromise was worked out after mediators from Germany and China became involved in talks, and Iraq pledged to hold free elections for its national Olympic committee under international observation.
Iraq is expected to send two athletes to Beijing to compete in track and field events.
The decision came too late for five other hopefuls in archery, judo, rowing and weightlifting. The deadline to submit names for those sports expired last week.
Healed Yao guides China
Yao Ming scored 21 points in 28 minutes to lead China past Angola 83-74 at Nanjing, China, another step in his return from injury with less than two weeks until the Olympics.
The Houston Rockets center anchors a Chinese team that just weeks ago faced the prospect of entering the games without its 7-foot-6 star because of a stress fracture.
Yao made eight of his 10 shots and had five rebounds and was impressive running the court. He showed no sign of the injury to his left foot that ended his NBA season in February and threatened his Olympic participation.
Also, defending Olympic champion Argentina beat Iran 81-71. Iran is making its first Olympic basketball appearance since 1948.
Powell, Isinbayeva shine
Asafa Powell ran his fastest 100 meters of the season and Yelena Isinbayeva broke her record in the women’s pole vault to highlight the Herculis Super Grand Prix meet at Monte Carlo, Monaco.
Powell had no help from the wind on a humid night, winning his event in 9.82 seconds – six-hundredths faster than in Stockholm, Sweden, a week ago.
Russia’s Isinbayeva soared 16 feet, 6 1/2 inches on her third and final attempt at the height.
Her previous record of 16-6 was set in Rome on July 11.
Isinbayeva is the reigning Olympic and world champion.