Baghdad (AsiaNews) – Six Iraqi athletes, 5 men and 1 woman, will participate in this year's Summer Olympics in Athens, according to Iraq's Olympic Committee. The athletes will compete in 5 separate sporting events: track and field, boxing, swimming, weightlifting and Taekwondo.  

 "This is a very important day for Iraq," Ahmed Al-Samarrai, president of the Iraq Olympic Committee, said.

"We have worked long and hard (for this)," Al-Samarrai said. "This is great news during such difficult times for us and our athletes, who now have the chance to be there at the Opening Ceremonies in Athens's Stadium.

The Iraqi national football team might also be there in Athens. In fact, tomorrow Iraq is up against Saudi Arabia in a qualifying round in Amman. Iraq's football hopes depend on it defeating Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and Oman tying. "Tomorrow's match is very important to us," Al-Samarrai said. "Our team will be highly motivated when they go on the pitch (to play). All of Iraq will stand united behind them. We're crossing our fingers, hoping that our dreams will come true."    

Four of the five names of the Iraqi athletes going to Athens have been announced: Al'aa Hikmet, a female participant in the 100 and 200-meter sprints; Najah Salman Ali, a boxer in the light flyweight division; Ali Abdul-Munim Mohammed, a weightlifter in the 56 kg class; and Raad Abbas Rahseed, who will compete for the male Taekwondo championship.

• iraq
• olympics
• 2004
• taekwondo