Iraq's Olympic team arrives in Beijing

Other teams have traveled farther, but few would seem to have had as difficult a journey to Beijing as the Iraqi Olympic delegation.

The small contingent arrived in China early on Tuesday and was greeted at Beijing's airport by Iraqi ambassador to China, Mohammad Sabir Ismail, who said: "It’s very important for us to be here.”

The IOC in May suspended Iraq citing illegal government intervention in Olympic matters. The decision was reversed late last week, clearing the way for two rowers and two track and field athletes to compete.

“I’m so happy I am here now,” rower Haidar Nozad told the Associated Press. “I am so excited. It is my dream.”

The other competitors are rower Hamzah Hussein Jebur, discus thrower Haider Nasir and sprinter Dana Hussein, the only woman among the four.

The athletes previously acknowledged that they will be hard-pressed to win medals given the difficulties of training at home. Iraq has one bronze medal since its first appearance at the Summer Games in 1948.

Photo: Haider Nasir of the Iraqi national team arrives at the Beijing airport early on Tuesday. Credit: Petr David Josek / Associated Press