ROME - The president of the International Olympic Committee appealed for the release of sports officials kidnapped in Iraq earlier this month.
Jacques Rogge said Saturday that his organization was following the situation closely through its contacts in the Iraqi government.
“We pray that our friends be freed as soon as possible,” Rogge said at a meeting of the European Olympic Committees.
On July 15, unknown gunmen kidnapped the chairman of Iraq’s Olympic Committee and at least 30 other officials, including the presidents of the taekwondo and boxing federations, in a brazen daylight raid on a sports conference in the heart of Baghdad.
The abduction came after Iraq’s national wrestling coach was killed in Baghdad.
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Rogge also addressed the fighting in the Middle East, saying that the IOC would support future efforts to rebuild damaged infrastructure in Lebanon and help in the training of the country’s athletes.
Robins: It’s the Year of the Dragon on the Lunar calendar, and this Chinese influence could extend to it also being the year of the Pekingese on the green carpet at the 136th Westminster Dog Show on Tuesday.
NEW YORK (AP) - As the glow fades from the Giants' Super Bowl triumph, some New York sports fans are tuning in to basketball and hockey, with the Rangers in first place and the Knicks' overnight sensation, Jeremy Lin, sparking "Lin-sanity.''
Robins: This year, six new breeds will be making their debut on the green carpet for the Westminster Dog Show, which begins Monday.
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