FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Dave Mingey
914-360-5313

THE IRAQI NATIONAL BOXING TEAM CREATES �IRAQ IS BACK� OFFICIAL MERCHANDISE WEBSITE

All Profits Go To Support The Dreams Of Iraqi Boxers

Baghdad, Iraq, April 7, 2004 � The National Olympic Committee of Iraq, along with its National Boxing Federation, announces that official merchandise emblazoned with their now-famous boxing cheer, �Iraq is Back!� is available worldwide through the Olympic Committee�s website, www.nociraq.org.

�We�re excited by our first commercial internet venture,� said NOCI President Ahmed Al-Samarrai. �It�s very important to find creative ways to fund our Olympic Movement. This slogan certainly has taken on a life of its own.�

Among the items available on the website are t-shirts, hats, coffee cups and posters.

�This cheer has become our daily motivation,� said Maurice �Termite� Watkins, the former professional boxer from Texas who coaches the Iraqi fighters. �We start and end every training session by chanting this slogan as we do a little dance. As soon as people heard about it, they asked if we had anything printed with this slogan. I�m thrilled to know that we finally have the ability to sell this gear and help support these inspirational fighters.�

Depending the outcome of qualification and wild-card invitations, the National Olympic Committee of Iraq hopes to send approximately 28 Iraqi athletes, including one boxer, this August to the 2004 Olympic Summer Games in Athens, Greece.
 

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If you have any questions, please email Dave Mingey at mingeyd@orha.centcom.mil