For Immediate Release
January 29, 2004

Iraqi Athletes on the Road to the Athens Olympics
Iraq Fact of the Day

The election this week of a new Iraqi National Olympic Committee is welcome news for Iraqi athletes and represents another important step in Iraq rejoining the international community. For years, Uday Hussein controlled the Iraq's Olympic committee, tortured and abused athletes, and stifled development of competitive sports in Iraq. Now, as the new Olympic Committee takes form, Iraqis are training to qualify for and participate in seven sports at this year's Olympic games in Athens, including weightlifting, wrestling, boxing, tae kwan do, swimming, track and field, and soccer.

Sources: International Olympic Committee and Coalition Provisional Authority.