Iraqi athletes face challenging games at Paris 2024 Olympics

NEWSROOM – Iraqi athletes have encountered a series of setbacks at the Paris 2024 Olympics, with underwhelming performances and a doping scandal marking their participation. Taha Hussein, representing Iraq in the men’s 100-meter race, finished ninth in the quarterfinals on Saturday, thus concluding his Olympic journey.

The competition took a more serious turn with the announcement from the International Testing Agency that Sajjad Ghanim, an Iraqi judoka, tested positive for the prohibited substances methandienone and boldenone. Ghanim has been provisionally suspended, barring him from competing, training, coaching, or participating in any Olympic activities.

In swimming, Hasan Ali competed in the men’s 100-meter butterfly, finishing seventh in his heat and not advancing further.

The men’s football team initially showed promise with a 2-1 victory over Ukraine in Group B. However, subsequent losses to Argentina, 3-1, and Morocco, 3-0, led to their elimination from the tournament. Key performances by Ali Jasim and Aymen Hussein in the match against Ukraine highlighted moments of potential despite the overall disappointing outcome.

The Iraqi delegation, consisting of the Olympic football team, a weightlifter, a swimmer, a track and field athlete, and a judoka, has seen most members complete their events with no notable achievements. Weightlifter Ali Ammar Yasser remains Iraq’s last hope for a medal at these Games.