It was declared by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Tuesday, July 29, 2008 that it has removed the ban on Iraq’s participation in the impending Beijing Olympics. A crisis meeting was held on this issue between the Iraqi government and the IOC, after which it was announced that the Iraq delegation has been permitted to participate in the August Olympics Games in Beijing.  

Barring athletics, the deadline for the sportspersons for all events in the Games was passed on July 23. The Iraqi tem will, therefore, comprise only two athletes for the August Olympics - discus thrower Haidar Nasir and sprinter Danma Hussein.

The agreement was applauded by IOC president Jacques Rogge, who said, ‘We look forward to seeing the Iraqi flag in Beijing.’  He thereafter added, ‘I commend the government of Iraq for reaching an agreement that serves the long-term interest of Iraqi athletes.’ The IOC president concluded by saying that he all along wanted to see Iraqi athletes at the Games.