Eight Iraqi athletes to go to London

Iraqi swimmer Muhannad Ahmed

Baghdad - A 38 member team, including eight athletes, will represent Iraq at the 2012 London Olympic Games, chef de mission Samir Sadiq al-Musawi said.

“We have eight athletes, including three women athletes,” Musawi told Xinhua.

Adnan Ta’yes will participate in the men’s 800m event Dana Husseinin the women’s 100m.

Safaa al-Rashid, wjo will participate in the 85kg men’s weightlifting event, is Iraq’s only medal hope, said Musawi.

Mohammad Ahmad will be the only Iraqi swimmer at London Olympics, competing in the men’s 100-meter butterfly event.

In wrestling, Ali Nadhim will participate in men’s 120kg event.

Women’s shooter Noor Amer will contend air pistol shooting and Rand Saad in women’s archery.

Boxer Ahmed Abdul Karim will participate in the 69kg event.

Musawi said the only athlete who qualified for London Games is the weightlifter Safaa Rashid and the other seven were chosen for the quota granted to Iraq.

“Dana Hussein, a woman, is the one who will hold the Iraqi national flag at the opening ceremony of London Olympic Games,” Musawi said.

“Iraq has finished its technical and administrative preparations. We have received our identification badges and we got our tickets and there is no problem for the preparations of the athletes,” said the official.

The delegation is slated to depart for London July 24, he said.