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IOC suspends Iraq Olympic Committee

ATHENS: The IOC has provisionally suspended Iraq’s National Olympic Committee.

Wednesday’s decision follows Iraq Government’s recent dissolution of the National body.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) says the move was political interference and a clear breach of the National body’s autonomy.

The IOC says it won’t recognise the Interim Committee appointed by the Iraq Government. It also called on the Government to analyse the situation and find “appropriate solutions.”

The IOC said it will look for ways to help Iraqi athletes, but the task will be “very difficult.”

It’s unclear whether any Iraqi athletes would be able to compete in the Beijing Games. — AP

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