Visit to Japan by the Iraq's National Judo Team for the 2004 Athens Olympics

July 22, 2004

1. As part of the assistance for Iraq's participation in international games, the Government of Japan will invite, from July 25 (Sun) to August 7 (Sat), members of Iraq's national Judo team for the 2004 Athens Olympics.
   
   
2. During their stay in Japan, the group will undergo an intensive training and preparation for the Olympics in cooperation with the All Japan Judo Federation, and will pay a courtesy call on officials of the Government of Japan and other organizations. After their stay in Japan, the team will move to Athens and join the main Iraqi Olympic team.
   
   
3. The invitation is expected to promote friendly relations with Iraq and understanding of Japan on the part of the Iraqis through Judo, a Japanese martial art. The participation of the Iraqi Judo team in the Olympics is expected to strengthen the hopes and solidarity of the people of Iraq striving for the reconstruction of their country.

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