Iraq to participate at Olympics

Iraq will be allowed to participate in the Beijing Olympics after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) yesterday rescinded its suspension of the country’s Olympic association.



The decision came after last-minute talks, during which an Iraqi government delegation pledged to hold free elections for its national Olympic committee under international observation.



The deadline to submit competitors’ names for athletics events expires tomorrow.



The country is expected to send two athletes to Beijing. Five others lost their chance to go when the final date for select competitors for archery, judo, rowing and weightlifting passed last week.