Iranian refuses to compete

LOS ANGELES TIMES
ATHENS, Greece -- Political enmity intruded on Olympic efforts to exude peaceful coexistence Saturday when an Iranian athlete who bore his nation's flag in the opening ceremonies chose to quit the games rather than compete with an Israeli.
The athlete, Arash Miresmaeili, quit rather than participate in a match with Israeli judo athlete Ehud Vaks.
Israel condemned the move.
"It is a pity that a country like Iran is not only breaking the spirit of the Olympics, but also remains a country that will not let its sportsmen compete in the family of nations," the Israeli ambassador to Greece, Ram Aviram, said in an interview.
Efforts to reach the Iranians were unsuccessful Saturday night. The person answering the team leader's cell phone repeatedly hung up.
Iran is among several Muslim or Arab countries that condemn Israel and its policies toward Palestinians. Although Palestinians have become associated in the minds of some Westerners with suicide bombings and other violence, their quest for a homeland marshals wide support in Europe and the Arab world.
Israel received a chilly welcome when its delegation marched through the Olympic Stadium in Friday night's opening gala.