BAGHDAD, July 24 (Xinhua) -- The International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed Thursday its suspension on Iraq National Olympic Committee (NOC) that would deprive Iraqi athletes from participating in the Beijing Olympic Games.
In a letter addressed to the Iraqi Minister of Youth and Sports Jassim Mohammad Jaafar, the IOC confirmed the ban imposed on Iraqi athletes last month. "We regretfully inform you that the IOC executive board's decision, dated June 4, 2008 ordering the suspension of the Iraqi NOC has been formally approved," the letter obtained by Xinhua said. "This means that Iraq will not take part in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and Iraqi athletes will not take part in the competitions," it said. "As a result, the invitations issued by the trilateral committee to Iraqi sportsmen during qualifiers have been withdrawn and given to other national Olympic committees," the letter added.
The International Olympic Committee's executive board took the action because the Iraqi government's recently dissolved the national Olympic body and appointed an interim group presided over by the Minister of Youth and Sports. Late in May, the Iraqi government ordered the dissolution of the national body. It said that the committee was illegitimate because it could not reach a quorum as four of its 11 members including chairman Ahmed al-Hijiya have been kidnapped in Baghdad since 2006.
The government also has accused its Olympic committee of corruption. The Iraqi government formed an interim committee headed by the Minister of Youth and Sports with all the needed powers for three months to hold elections and to enact a new law for the new national Olympic committee.
Showing posts with label olympic teams. Show all posts
Showing posts with label olympic teams. Show all posts
Monday, 28 July 2008
Friday, 18 July 2008
USA Olympic soccer team announced
Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Former United States national team forward Brian McBride, who retired from the senior team in 2006, was one of 18 players named to the U.S. men's Olympic team roster Thursday.
McBride, 36, is one of three overage players coach Peter Nowak selected. He has played in three World Cups. McBride played for Fulham in England Premier League from 2004-2008, and is likely to join Major League Soccer after the Olympics.
"I don't look at myself as being 36 and I certainly don't feel 36. For me its more about the mentality so I think I have a little more upstairs as far as experience that will help me," he said. "When it comes down to it, it really is all about how you play on the field, and being a part of this team, regardless of what age you are, is a great honor."
McBride brings a wealth of experience to the young squad having earned 95 caps during 10 years with mens national team. He ended his national team career with 30 goals, and is the only U.S. player to score a goal in multiple World Cups.
Goalkeeper Brad Guzan and defender Michael Parkhurst were the other overage players added to the roster, which features 12 players with full national team experience. Each team is allowed only three players over the age of 23.
"After an extensive process of evaluation, we are very excited about the group of players that we have chosen to represent the United States at the Olympic Games," Nowak said. "It has been a very competitive environment, and we had some tough decisions to make."
U.S. teen stars Jozy Altidore and Freddy Adu, who have both moved to Europe to play club soccer in the last year, highlight the rest of the roster.
The U.S. will begin final preparations for the Beijing Olympics on Sunday with six days of training in San Jose, Calif. The team will then depart for Hong Kong, where they will participate in the ING Cup, facing fellow Olympic teams Ivory Coast on July 30 and Cameroon on Aug. 2.
The U.S. was drawn into difficult Group B and will open against Japan on Aug. 7 before facing the Netherlands on Aug. 10, with both matches taking place at the Olympic Sports Center Stadium in Tianjin, China. The team will then travel to Workers Stadium in Beijing to conclude group play against 1996 gold medalist and 2005 Under-20 World Cup champion Nigeria on Aug. 13.
Following is the complete roster, with club team in parentheses:
GOALKEEPERS: Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Chris Seitz (Real Salt Lake).
DEFENDERS: Patrick Ianni (Houston Dynamo), Michael Orozco (San Luis), Michael Parkhurst (New England Revolution), Nathan Sturgis (Real Salt Lake), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC).
MIDFIELDERS: Freddy Adu (Benfica), Michael Bradley (Heerenveen), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Benny Feilhaber (Derby County), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Danny Szetela (Brescia Calcio)
FORWARDS: Jozy Altidore (Villarreal), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF), Brian McBride (None), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew).
McBride, 36, is one of three overage players coach Peter Nowak selected. He has played in three World Cups. McBride played for Fulham in England Premier League from 2004-2008, and is likely to join Major League Soccer after the Olympics.
"I don't look at myself as being 36 and I certainly don't feel 36. For me its more about the mentality so I think I have a little more upstairs as far as experience that will help me," he said. "When it comes down to it, it really is all about how you play on the field, and being a part of this team, regardless of what age you are, is a great honor."
McBride brings a wealth of experience to the young squad having earned 95 caps during 10 years with mens national team. He ended his national team career with 30 goals, and is the only U.S. player to score a goal in multiple World Cups.
Goalkeeper Brad Guzan and defender Michael Parkhurst were the other overage players added to the roster, which features 12 players with full national team experience. Each team is allowed only three players over the age of 23.
"After an extensive process of evaluation, we are very excited about the group of players that we have chosen to represent the United States at the Olympic Games," Nowak said. "It has been a very competitive environment, and we had some tough decisions to make."
U.S. teen stars Jozy Altidore and Freddy Adu, who have both moved to Europe to play club soccer in the last year, highlight the rest of the roster.
The U.S. will begin final preparations for the Beijing Olympics on Sunday with six days of training in San Jose, Calif. The team will then depart for Hong Kong, where they will participate in the ING Cup, facing fellow Olympic teams Ivory Coast on July 30 and Cameroon on Aug. 2.
The U.S. was drawn into difficult Group B and will open against Japan on Aug. 7 before facing the Netherlands on Aug. 10, with both matches taking place at the Olympic Sports Center Stadium in Tianjin, China. The team will then travel to Workers Stadium in Beijing to conclude group play against 1996 gold medalist and 2005 Under-20 World Cup champion Nigeria on Aug. 13.
Following is the complete roster, with club team in parentheses:
GOALKEEPERS: Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Chris Seitz (Real Salt Lake).
DEFENDERS: Patrick Ianni (Houston Dynamo), Michael Orozco (San Luis), Michael Parkhurst (New England Revolution), Nathan Sturgis (Real Salt Lake), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC).
MIDFIELDERS: Freddy Adu (Benfica), Michael Bradley (Heerenveen), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Benny Feilhaber (Derby County), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Danny Szetela (Brescia Calcio)
FORWARDS: Jozy Altidore (Villarreal), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF), Brian McBride (None), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew).
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