jul.28.2006
Two weeks have passed since the President and Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee of Iraq, the Presidents of the Iraqi Boxing and Taekwondo federations, and other sporting officials have been kidnapped in Baghdad.
The IOC would like to reiterate its support to the interim team of the National Olympic Committee of Iraq from which it is receiving regular updates on the situation. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they carry on their mission in these trouble times.
Every effort that can be made to strengthen the security of Iraqi athletes, sporting officials and Olympic family members in Iraq is strongly encouraged by the IOC. The IOC has written to the President of the Republic of Iraq to express its concern and its desire for a safe release of the hostages.
In its determination to help Iraqi sport, the IOC has launched initiatives aimed at offering Iraqi athletes the possibility to train outside their country.
Coordinated efforts including through collaborative agreements between the OCA and the EOC have led to the identification of training camps that could welcome the athletes in the near future so that they can concentrate of their preparations for the next Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008.