IRAQI JUNIOR NATIONAL SWIMMERS WIN IN JORDAN

Swimmers Broke Seven National Records in Meet

Baghdad, Iraq…September 11, 2003—The Coalition Provisional Authority in conjunction with the Iraqi Ministry of Youth and Sport is pleased to announce that the Iraqi National Junior Swim Team claimed an impressive victory over the Jordanian Junior Team during a meet last week.  The competition, held in Jordan from August 23rd to 30th netted the Iraqi Team 13 gold, 7 silver and 2 bronze medals.  The Iraqi swimmers also broke seven national records in the meet.

“I was excited to participate in the competition. It was our first international event in the age of freedom,” said Ahmed Ajwad Abdul Alkareem, who earned 3 Gold medals.  Alkareem, 15, broke three national records in each of his three events.  He finished the 50m freestyle in 26.79, the 50m butterfly with a time of 31.36 and completed the 100m freestyle in 1.02.16, breaking a record that had stood since1988.

Sari Abdullah, 13, finished the 50m freestyle with a time of 30.05, and also swam the 100m freestyle in 1.10.03, breaking the previous record of 1.10.17 set by Ahmed Faeq in 1989.   Karar Abbas Fadhel, 13, swam the 50m breaststroke in 42.28, and 13-year-old Seaf Haider Mahemmed Ali, set a record in the 50m backstroke with a time of 38.84.

“These new records speak volumes about the depth of young talent we have in Iraq, and the determination with which Iraqis are showing the world that Iraqi sport is very much back on track.” said Mark Clark senior advisor to the CPA for Youth and Sport.

“[W]e have to send a message to the world that our freedom is the key for our success,” said Alkareem.

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