\n "Although I have trained for months and am in shape I refused to The stunner in these Games so far, at least for Well, in the last three days the Iraqis have defeated We love when this happens, every four years, the Judo story from Reuters<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" An Iranian athlete today chose to forfeit his Olympic match in the 66-kilo Judo event rather than enter the ring against an Israeli opponent. The Iranian is no stiff, either. Arash Miresmaeili was world champion in his weight class in 2001 … Continue reading ![](\"http:\/\/cyber.law.harvard.edu\/blogs\/static\/dowbrigade\/limps.jpg\")
An
\n Iranian athlete today chose to forfeit his Olympic match in the 66-kilo
\n Judo event rather than enter the ring against an Israeli opponent.
\n The Iranian is no stiff, either.
\n Arash Miresmaeili
\n was world champion in his weight class in 2001 and 2003. We guess whether
\n he is a racist bigot or a principled hero depends on one’s point of view,
\n but considering the Israelis unfortunate history at the Olympic games,
\n it is a wonder they still come.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n face my Israeli rival in sympathy with the oppressed Palestinian people," said
\n Miresmaeili, 66 kg world champion in 2001 and 2003. "I am not upset
\n about the decision I have made."<\/p>\n
\n the 98% of the Sports Fans in the world who believe there really is
\n only
\n one world-wide sport, is the performance of the Iraqi soccer team. Who
\n knew that Iraq even had 15 guys who were capable of playing the game
\n at this level? Wasn’t one of Saddam’s sons the coach of the national
\n team? We had imagined the Iraqi national soccer team to be a bunch of
\n booted sergeants tromping around a pitch with their M-16s slung over
\n their shoulders who would have trouble with the Cambridge Rindge and
\n Latin High School varsity team.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n the supposed leaders in their group, Portugal and Costa Rica, both ranked
\n in the teens in worldwide soccer (FIFA)
\n rankings.<\/a> They have guaranteed a spot in the quarterfinals with their
\n two victories. The US Men’s team didn’t even qualify. Then again, neither
\n did world champion Brazil, South America being represented by Paraguay
\n and Argentina.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n US Presidential election and the Olympic Games within a few months of
\n each other. Predictable in form if not in outcome, precisely choreographed
\n and [packaged for TV, these events belie the general rule that news will
\n break out when one least expects it. From the January Pancake Breakfasts
\n in New Hampshire through the hot summer of Conventions and Medals Stands,
\n and on into the fall electoral climax, we can plan our viewing
\n habits, arrange our schedule and stock in supplies for maximum viewing
\n efficiency. Let the Games Begin….<\/em><\/p>\n