THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC Committee, a typically corrupt multinational organization, has unbanned Iraqi Olympic athletes according to this AP story. Read on, the punchline is a jaw-dropper. Wait for it.
LAUSANNE, Switzerland - The International Olympic Committee ruled Tuesday that Iraq could participate in the Beijing games, reversing itself after Baghdad pledged to ensure the independence of its national Olympics panel.
The decision followed last-minute talks between Iraqi officials and the IOC ahead of Wednesday's deadline to submit competitors' names for track and field events. The Olympics begin Aug. 8.
Iraq's National Olympic Committee was dissolved by the Baghdad government in May, prompting the IOC to suspend the Mideast country from the Olympics for political interference.
The IOC had insisted the old committee be reinstated even though four members were kidnapped two years ago. Their fates remain unknown.
