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Athletes' remains found in Iraq Athletes' remains found in Iraq
(30 minutes later)
The decomposed bodies of 13 members of an Iraqi taekwondo team seized a year ago have been found, officials say.The decomposed bodies of 13 members of an Iraqi taekwondo team seized a year ago have been found, officials say.
Fifteen members of the team had been abducted last May in Anbar province, an al-Qaeda stronghold west of Baghdad, on their way to a training camp in Jordan.Fifteen members of the team had been abducted last May in Anbar province, an al-Qaeda stronghold west of Baghdad, on their way to a training camp in Jordan.
The bodies were found in western Iraq, near the town of Ramadi. Two of the team are still missing.The bodies were found in western Iraq, near the town of Ramadi. Two of the team are still missing.
In the past two years many Iraqi sports officials have been seized in sectarian attacks or held for ransom.In the past two years many Iraqi sports officials have been seized in sectarian attacks or held for ransom.
Olympic hopesOlympic hopes
Members of the Sunni Anbar Salvation Council, a group fighting al-Qaeda in the province, found the remains of the 13 taekwondo team members, Iraqi police said.Members of the Sunni Anbar Salvation Council, a group fighting al-Qaeda in the province, found the remains of the 13 taekwondo team members, Iraqi police said.
We were hoping that we would see them alive and competing for their country in international championships Hussein al-ObeidiIraq Olympic CommitteeWe were hoping that we would see them alive and competing for their country in international championships Hussein al-ObeidiIraq Olympic Committee
The remains - including bones, skulls and shreds of uniforms - were taken to Imam Ali Hospital in the Shia neighbourhood of Sadr City, Baghdad.The remains - including bones, skulls and shreds of uniforms - were taken to Imam Ali Hospital in the Shia neighbourhood of Sadr City, Baghdad.
DNA tests will be used to identify the athletes, a hospital official told Associated Press news agency.DNA tests will be used to identify the athletes, a hospital official told Associated Press news agency.
The athletes were members of a club that aimed to send competitors to the Olympics, Hussein al-Obeidi, secretary-general of Iraq's National Olympic Committee, told AP.The athletes were members of a club that aimed to send competitors to the Olympics, Hussein al-Obeidi, secretary-general of Iraq's National Olympic Committee, told AP.
Hundreds of mourners gathered to say farewell the athletes in Sadr City Many athletes and sports officials have been abducted in Iraq
"We were hoping that we would see them alive and competing for their country in international championships," Mr Obeidi said."We were hoping that we would see them alive and competing for their country in international championships," Mr Obeidi said.
Hundreds of mourners gathered in Sadr City on Saturday at a funeral procession for the athletes, who will be buried in the Shia holy city of Najaf.Hundreds of mourners gathered in Sadr City on Saturday at a funeral procession for the athletes, who will be buried in the Shia holy city of Najaf.
Last year, an Iraqi international football referee, a member of the Iraqi Olympic football team and a national volleyball player were abducted.Last year, an Iraqi international football referee, a member of the Iraqi Olympic football team and a national volleyball player were abducted.
Iraq's national wrestling coach was killed in Baghdad, while 30 other Iraqi sports officials, including the chairman of Iraq's Olympic Committee, were also seized from a sports conference in Baghdad.Iraq's national wrestling coach was killed in Baghdad, while 30 other Iraqi sports officials, including the chairman of Iraq's Olympic Committee, were also seized from a sports conference in Baghdad.
Some were victims of sectarian attacks or held for ransom, others were targeted by radical Islamists who disapproved of their activities.Some were victims of sectarian attacks or held for ransom, others were targeted by radical Islamists who disapproved of their activities.