Kuwait flag, anthem to soar at Olympics – IOC lifts ban after Amir sends request to Rogge

LAUSANNE, Switzerland: The International Olympic Committee yesterday accepted Kuwait’s request to hoist its national flag and play its national anthem at the Olympic games in London. Minister of Communications and Acting Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Salem Al-Otheina congratulated all Kuwaitis after the IOC gave its approval following his second meeting yesterday with IOC President Jacques Rogge. Otheina earlier delivered a letter from HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to Rogge at the IOC’s headquarters in Lausanne on hoisting the flag of Kuwait at the Olympic Games, which kick off in London on July 27.

Kuwait’s Olympic committee has been suspended by the IOC since 2010 because of government interference. At the time, the IOC said the decision was taken by its executive board to “protect the Olympic movement in Kuwait”, adding Kuwait failed to meet a Dec 31, 2009 deadline for amending a law that allowed the state to interfere in elections of sports organizations. The IOC had been working with Kuwaiti officials since 2007 to resolve the issue. If Kuwait had remained suspended, athletes would have competed as “independent Olympic athletes” and marched in London’s opening ceremony under the Olympic flag. Kuwait has eight athletes who have qualified for London. – Agencies

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