Iraq Banned From Beijing

[WDRacing]

Iraqi Athletes Banned From Beijing

Thoughts?

[rn79870]

At first, it seemed rather heavy handed. However after reading the article, it is simply a matter of Iraq not playing by the rules everyone else follows. Rules is rules. Too bad for the athletes who train so hard for so long.

[WDRacing]

Exactly...it's really to bad that the Olympics themselves be negatively effected simply because a Gov can't follow some baseline rules. The Iraqi people have been through hell and back these last few years and deserve their chance at the spotlight just as much if not more then every other competing country.

I feel sorry for those that spent so much time training for nothing...

WD

[skylndrftr]

I think this is crap...for god's sake they are having the games in China who basically repo children with athletic talent...

Not to mentio nthat Iraq got to compete in the Saddam era when Uday (I think thats the right brother) had a habit of torturing athletes.

[S13Panda]

Well, it's not definite. They're trying to ban Iraq from competing in the Olympics as we speak.... so we'll see what really concludes when they make the decision, then let's continue the topic talk!

[smockers83]

It is a definite ruling. The only way Iraq can get back into the games is by following through with the IOC's request or if a compromise is made. If not, no Iraqis, which would be a low blow to the whole country.

[heliochrome85]

i agree. you cant play by the rules, you cant play at all. i dont really think its a major thing for the iraqis right now, you know, since they are trying not to get blown up.

[smockers83]

Agreed on the rules. But I think its a big thing, look at what they did when they were successful in soccer awhile back. Everyone partied in the streets, together. Its more of a country united and morale kind of deal than a day to day basis thing. At least that's how I interpret it and why I think its a low blow to them.

[heliochrome85]

soccer is one thing. trust me. soccer is a big thing outside of the US. hell, i danced in the streets after Euro 2008. I agree that these sort of things help bring national unity, but the reality is that maybe we need to start thinking Iraq is really 3 different countries. It would be like putting US Canada and Mexico in one country and saying, why dont you guys all get along? the olympics wont really do much to fix that. Soccer on the other hand, its magical.

[smockers83]

Gotcha. Hey, I danced in the streets after, too, but I was just a little drunk from watching the game and just trying to go along with everyone in Europe...hey, it sounded like a good idea at the time.

Maybe we should start thinking of it as 3 countries, not that I doubt you because you know more about it than I do, this is mainly out of curiosity, but polls have shown that Iraqis don't like the fact that things are divided along sectarian lines and I've also seen reports of people who have good friends across those same lines. To me, that is a call for wanted diversity. Your thoughts?

[heliochrome85]

yeah, and i want to lose 50 pounds. the reality is that there are many powerful people who keep it a dream and not a reality. you want 1 iraq, you get rid of the shiite mullahs, you make hate crimes illegal, and you add more security. look at north and south korea. who is keeping ties bad? the politicos. just like that situation, this one will take time, but it COULD happen. given patience and actual support from the US. As of right now, it might not necesarily be in the US's best interests since, a country divided is easier to deal with.

[srellim234]

The Iraqi team (part of it, at least) has been reinstated to compete in the Olympics.

http://sports.yahoo.com/olympi...=lgns

[BigMACKenzie]

my thoughts? what kind of rabid junkyard dog do you have to be to get CHINA to say your too foul to compete? we are talking about ppl who are bulldozing Chinese citizens homes to make space for the Olympics.

[smockers83]

It isn't China saying they aren't allowed to compete, its the International Olympic Committee.

[skylndrftr]

yes it was the IOC not China...

althought the IOC doing this after having the olympics in China is kinda lame

[themadscientist]

**** the olympics, I give a ****. The IOC makes saddam look like a boy scout, so corrupt congressmen could take notes.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/297030.stm

[heliochrome85]

http://english.aljazeera.net/s....html

a-rab reaction to the olympics ban.

smocky, read.

[rn79870]

It's the only fair thing to do for the athletes. I hope they give Iraq cause for pride.

[smockers83]

Quote »"The Iraqi people need hope, and sport gives them a lot of hope."[/quote]Ah, hope was the word I was looking for earlier.

Good read. I'm actually glad you posted that, I didn't now Al Jazeera had an English version, good to know. Thanks for another source.

[heliochrome85]

their english website is pretty fantastic. i agree with alot of their postings and views. they are accurate respresentations of the arab street thinking.

see we CAN express our feelings in methods other than irrational hatred and just casual violence.