Iraqi athletes push for 2008 games

BAGHDAD, April 25 (UPI) -- Iraqi athletes trying to qualify for the Beijing Olympics in August face tough challenges as their country struggles to emerge on the world scene.

Even before the U.S.-led invasion, Iraq has struggled to represent well at the Olympic Games. The last time Iraq medaled at the Olympics was a bronze in the 1958 Summer Games for weightlifting.

As a sign of the challenge, Dana Hussein, a 21-year-old sprinter who qualified for the 2008 Games, escaped sniper fire and overcame economic challenges to represent Iraq, The McClatchy Newspapers said.

Tiras Odisho Anwaya with the Iraq National Olympic Committee says only four Iraqis qualified for the Olympics so far, but athletes in wrestling and weightlifting could still qualify.

Anwaya said the Iraqi government puts military equipment and basic foodstuffs as its top priorities, and most of the money slated for sports programs goes to the national soccer team, which failed to qualify for the 2008 Games.

Hussein said the improved security situation made the situation better for the athletes and noted the government provides around $167 a month for the athletes, but that pales in comparison to the Olympic budgets of Iraqi's Gulf neighbors, the newspaper said.

Olympic officials say the track and field program receives about $580,000 per year.