UK: OLYMPICS: Members of Syria's Olympics team arrive in London ahead of the 2012 Games as their country is torn by an uprising against President Bashar al-Assad and his ruling Baath Party

Record ID: 281081

  • Title: UK: OLYMPICS: Members of Syria's Olympics team arrive in London ahead of the 2012 Games as their country is torn by an uprising against President Bashar al-Assad and his ruling Baath Party
  • Date: 23rd July 2012
  • Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (JULY 23, 2012) (REUTERS) PEOPLE WALKING THROUGH ARRIVALS HALL AT AIRPORT SIGN READING "ARRIVALS" SYRIAN OLYMPIC ATHLETES WALKING INTO ARRIVALS HALL SYRIAN OLYMPIANS WALKING PAST, GROUP INCLUDES HIGH JUMP ATHLETE MAJED ALDIN GHAZAL (BLACK T-SHIRT) AND 105KG DIVISION WEIGHTLIFTER AHED JOUHILI (BLUE T-SHIRT) CLOSE OF LONDON 2012 LOGO SYRIAN TEAM SPEAKING WITH OFFICIALS
  • Embargoed: 7th August 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: United Kingdom
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Conflict,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA407A1N0EY6VMEASB94KV872U
  • Story Text: Part of Syria's Olympics squad arrived in London on Monday (July 23) as the conflict triggered by an uprising against President Bashar al-Assad raged back home.
    The country has seen an escalation of the 17-month conflict in the past month with rebel forces seemingly better armed to take on forces loyal to the government.
    Syria has only ever won three medals in their history at the Olympics, including Ghada Shouaa's gold in the women's heptathlon in Atlanta 1996.
    Their last medal was achieved in Athens 2004 with a bronze medal in the men's heavyweight boxing class.
    The team in London consists of 11 athletes, an increase from the seven who represented the country at Beijing in 2008. About half of the team was seen arriving at the airport on Monday. The International Olympic Committee said the rest of the team were already in the Athletes' Village.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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