31 Jul 2008

Five Iraqi athletes to go to Beijing Games

6:09 pm on 31 July 2008

Iraqi officials say the International Olympic Committee will allow up to five Iraqi athletes to take the field in Beijing after a ban on the country was lifted at the eleventh hour.

Yesterday a compromise was reached over a row involving Iraq's Olympic committee -- but it was thought to be too late to allow any more than two track and field athletes to compete.

But a spokesman for the reinstated Iraqi Olympic Committee says the IOC has allowed three more Iraqi athletes to participate in Beijing.

Three track and field athletes, a rower and an archer will now compete.