Iraqi athletes to participate in Olympics after all

Iraqi athletes will now be able to participate in the Beijing Olympics. How many are slated to participate.

The International Olympic Committee says Iraq can take part in Beijing Games, lifting its previous ban.

IOC officials say they have reversed an earlier decision because the government has pledged to ensure the independence of its national Olympic committee.

The decision follows last-minute talks Tuesday between Iraqi officials and the IOC in Lausanne, Switzerland.

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

Dana Hussein, a sprinter, and Haider Nasir, a discus thrower, will compete in Beijing because track-and-field events have a later registration.

Currently in Topeka, KS

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