OCA Press Release: Athletes from Iraq and Syria show true Olympic spirit

The Olympic Council of Asia is delighted to see the athletes of Iraq and Syria competing at our 5th Asian Beach Games – and winning medals.

Despite the troubles in their countries, their National Olympic Committees have still managed to give the opportunity to their athletes to join their friends from around the continent here in Danang, Vietnam.

The OCA would like to place on record our appreciation of their efforts, and our admiration for their achievements.

Once again this proves that sport cultivates peace, tolerance and understanding, and the OCA is proud to play a part in this.

The athletes of Iraq and Syria have shown the true spirit of Olympism, not only by competing here but by winning medals to make their countries proud.

At the end of the action on Monday, September 26, Iraq had won one gold medal, one silver and seven bronze for a total of nine medals. Their golden boy was Amir Yahya Abdulamir Al Bazy, who won four fights to claim the top podium place in the men’s ju-jitsu -62kg on September 25.

As for Syria, we salute the achievements of marathon swimmer Saleh Mohammad, whose bronze and silver medals here in Danang were the seventh and eighth of his career in four editions of our ABG.

He won gold in both the men’s 5km and 10km marathon at the first ABG in Bali, Indonesia, in 2008, and followed this up with gold and silver at Muscat 2010 and two bronze medals at Phuket 2014.

The Olympic Council of Asia will continue to serve the youth of Asia and provide the best environment and conditions for athletes from all our National Olympic Committees to compete in a spirit of Excellence, Friendship and Respect.

20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics iswww.aroundtherings.com, for subscribers only