Monday, August 4, 2008 - Page updated at 02:35 PM

4 Iraqi athletes arrive in Beijing for Olympics

The Iraqi Olympic team arrived in China late Monday, less than a week after the country's ban was reversed.

BEIJING —

The Iraqi Olympic team arrived in China late Monday, less than a week after the country's ban was reversed.

The International Olympic Committee suspended Iraq in May over alleged government interference in the country's national committee.

The decision was reversed last Tuesday, clearing four - two rowers and two track and field athletes - of the seven Iraqis who originally qualified for the Olympics. The other three who could get a chance to compete are waiting in Kuwait.

"I'm so happy I am here now," said rower Haidar Nozad, who is in men's double sculls with Hamzah Hussein Jebur. "I am so excited. It is my dream."

The other competitors are Haidir Nasir in the men's discus and sprinter Dana Hussein, the only woman among the four.

They were greeted at the airport by Iraq's ambassador to China, Dr. Mohammad Sabir Ismail.

"It's very important for us to be here," he said.

The athletes have already said their medal prospects were dim because of the difficulties of training in their war-ravaged country. Athletes in various sports have been kidnapped or killed in Iraq since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein.

Saddam's son Odai, who was in charge of sports before 2003, punished poor performers with torture or incarceration.

The IOC allowed Iraq to take part in the 2004 Summer Games in Athens, where it fielded 25 athletes. The soccer team made it to the semifinals, prompting celebrations throughout the country.

Iraq has one bronze medal since its first appearance at the Summer Games in 1948.

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