DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — A Syrian official says the country’s Olympic chief will not attend the London Games because the organizing committee did not invite him.
Syrian Olympic Committee president Gen. Mowaffak Joumaa had previously insisted he would travel to London despite indications he would be denied entry by Britain because of his links to Syrian President Bashar Assad’s regime.
But on Tuesday, Joumaa’s deputy Maher Khayatah accused London organizers of politicizing the games by refusing to send Joumaa an invitation. He said 29 members of Syria’s Olympic delegation have received invitations, with only Joumaa omitted.
IOC President Jacques Rogge said last week that the IOC has not received any notification that Joumaa had been denied a visa.
Rogge said Syria’s Olympic committee remains recognized and Syrian athletes will compete under their national flag.
