For Iraq's Olympians, the Tokyo dream is just taking part
For the four Iraqi athletes who have made it to Tokyo, there is no realistic talk of medals. Having overcome war, politics and pandemic, their dream is simply to participate.
Right up to November of last year, when a new national Olympic chief was elected Iraq’s very participation in the Games was in doubt.
Despite the loss of state financial support and the difficulties of travelling to qualifying events during the coronavirus pandemic, two Iraqi hopefuls managed to qualify for Tokyo.
Rower Mohammed Ryadh, 27, will take part in the men’s single sculls for the second Games in a row.
But he has no illusions about his medal chances after his French coach of the past nine years, Vincent Tassery, was prevented by restrictions linked to the pandemic from travelling to Baghdad.
To date, Iraq has won just a single Olympic medal — a silver for weightlifting in Rome in 1960.
