Fantastic news today that the International Olympic Committee have overturned their ban on competitors representing the Republic of Iraq at the Beijing Olympics that was decreed last week due to the belief held by the IOC that the Iraqi Olympic Commitee were not totally free of political influence.

Last week's ban caused heartbreak gfor two rowers, two judoka, a weightlifter and a archer. When one competitor was told he apparantly "couldn't stop crying for two hours".

However the Iraqi Government have now managed to ensure that the Committee is free and independent and the country will feature at the opening ceremony.

Great news, I think, for such a war-ravaged country.