IOC Accepts Iranian Swimmer's Reasoning

TEHRAN - The International Olympic Committee has accepted the explanation of an Iranian swimmer who pulled out of an event that included an Israeli competitor.

An Iranian swimmer withdrew from a race at the Beijing Olympics because of an illness and not due to the presence of an Israeli athlete in the same competition, the International Olympic Committee said Monday. Mohammad Alirezaei withdrew from the heats of the men's 100-meter breaststroke on Saturday just before he was due to compete against a field that included Israel's Tom Beeri. The presence of Israel's Tom Beeri in the same heat was originally believed to be the reason for Alirezaei's withdrawal, but the Iranian athlete cited illness as the reason. Iran could have faced sanctions from the IOC if Alirezaei pulled out deliberately because an Israeli was also racing, but IOC spokeswoman Giselle Davies said Monday that no violation had been found. Davies, who is also director of communications for the IOC, said that Alirezaei withdrew because of sickness and submitted his case in writing to his Federation. "The athlete has withdrawn because of sickness," she said. "He confirmed this in writing to the swimming federation. We've also spoken with the (Iranian) national Olympic committee and they have underlined to us that all their athletes compete here in the right spirit against athletes from any nationality. "We take both the athlete and the national Olympic committee at their word on this," she said.