Syrian NOC Chief Talks Visa; Saudi Rider Misses Olympics; Obama Leads U.S. Delegation

Syrian NOC Chief on London Plans

The president of the Syrian Olympic Committee tells Around the Rings he has not received confirmation that he will not receive a visa for the London Olympics.

Mouwaffak Joumaa said in an email to ATR he has only read media reports that the British Home Office rejected his visa for the Games.

"We still have not [received] any formal letter from the concerned authorities in the UK," he wrote.

"In case we receive a formal letter from the LOCOG and/or the concerned authorities of the UK we will refer to the IOC and ANOC."

On Friday, the BBC reported that Britain’s Home Office, Foreign Office and sport ministry decided at a meeting not to approve his visa. Joumaa is a retired general in the Syrian armed forces and has links to embattled president Bashar al-Assad.

A British government spokesperson tells ATR "we don’t comment on individual cases."

Saudi Misses London Olympics

The International Equestrian Federation says Dalma Rushi Malhas will not represent Saudi Arabia in London.

The 20-year-old rider was named in media reports as possibly representing the country in London – and being Saudi Arabia’s first female Olympian.

However, FEI said on Monday she failed to achieve qualifying standards for London after her horse suffered an injury.

"There have been some reports in the media, but regretfully the Saudi Arabian rider Dalma Rushdi Malhas has not attained the minimum eligibility standards and consequently will not be competing at the London 2012 Olympic Games," FEI secretary general Ingmar De Vos said. "However, we understand that the IOC has a number of other female athletes from Saudi Arabia in other sports who are currently under consideration.

"The FEI is very proud to have been the International Federation to field the first female athlete from Saudi Arabia at the Youth Olympic Games when Dalma won individual bronze in the Jumping, and we very much look forward to seeing her on the Olympic stage again."

Malhas' mother was quoted by FEI saying she will continue riding, and the family has "great hopes for Rio 2016."

Obama to London

First Lady Michelle Obama will lead the U.S. delegation at the London Olympics.

The U.S. Olympic Committee made the announcement on Friday.

She will be heading the delegation at the opening ceremony on July 27 as part of her imitative to fight childhood obesity in the United States.

"This summer I'll be cheering on Team U.S.A. at the Olympic Games in London with this distinguished group of champions who truly represent the best of our country," Obama said in a statement. "Olympians and Paralympians are true American heroes and role models for all of us, especially our young people. And I know that this delegation will help inspire a generation of young people to get into the Olympic spirit by getting active and healthy so they can reach their fullest potential and reach their dreams."

Joining the First Lady is U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain Louis Susman and five Olympians.

Coe Takes Olympic Flame

London 2012 chair Sebastian Coe carried the Olympic torch through Sheffield on Monday.

On day 38 of the relay, he was one of 142 torchbearers on the flame's 77-mile trek from Leeds to his home city of Sheffield.

The Torch visited the Yorkshire Sculpture Garden, the National Coal Mining Museum and the Sheffield Children’s Hospital over the course of the day.

The evening celebration takes place at Barker’s Pool in the center of Sheffield.

U.K. Celebrates London 2012 World Sport Day

Monday marks the start of the National School Sport Week in the U.K.

The five-day celebration of athletics begins with the observation of London 2012 World Sport Day and continues throughout the week.

Thousands of schools and communities are registered to participate in this year’s festivities.

Opening day activities around the country included cultural performances, flag displays and athletic competitions.

Written by Ed Hula III.

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