Iraq won't take part in Games

LAUSANNE, Switzerland: Iraq will not compete in the Beijing Olympic Games because of government interference, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said yesterday.

The IOC suspended Iraq's National Olympic Committee (NOC) in June after the Iraqi government dismissed and installed its own group, chaired by the sports minister. The IOC told officials in Baghdad that it was upholding the suspension.

The IOC Charter forbids political interference in the Olympic movement.