Iranian cyclists denied US visas

[951-Riverside]

Source: Press TV*

The US has refused visas for the Iran's national cycling team who wish to take part in the World Cup competition held in Los Angeles.

Iranian cycling team, which include Hassan-Ali Varposhti, Farshid Farsinejadian and Mahmoud Parash, were slated to fly to the US after international competitions inVienna, but the US refused to issue their visas.

The cyclists were to attend the Los Angeles World Cup as a preliminary qualifier for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Read more: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=39390§ionid=3510211

---

*Press TV is a state owned station in Iran

[aquart]

1. What petty-minded mental midgets are running this nation!

[pjt7]

2. If we can stop the neo-cons

from bombing Iran.

There is no reason the next generation of leaders, can't be recieving Iran's oil if they choose to.

[LynnTheDem]

15. You, me, and most the entire world were thinking that very same thing.

Sulky, belligerent, petty-minded nasty little babies.

[DRoseDARs]

3. This is acceptable, considering Iranian cyclists are well-known for carrying ICBMs when they ride.

How else to explain it? :shrug:

[ursi]

4. this is unacceptable ...we continue to be the asshole of the world

[thunder rising]

5. Injecting politics into the Olympics.

Are we going to repeat the American-led boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics too.

What piss-ant bureaucrat decided this? It amazes me to the extent that the right wing has infiltrated every aspect of our government and installing petty stupid incompetent neocons.

I'm sure God spoke to somebody on the staff.

[yy4me]

6. We look like childish fools to the rest of the world. What is

wrong with us. Good grief, I am ashamed for the US. We are worse than fools, we are arrogant fools.

[Mika]

7. Bushco denied visas to the Cuban team also.

What a disgrace.

The Olympic committee should ban the US from the Olympics if US political actions interfere with the organizing and forming of teams in qualifying competitions.



-

[Earth_First]

8. If I were Beijing, I would make it very clear that the Iranians must pass into the U.S.

or face complete disqualification of the right to EVERY American olympian to participate.

Simple as that.

[alfredo]

9. The Iranian people are not our enemies.

[SusanLarson]

10. Simple solution here.

The sporting authorities in charge should not allow the hosting countries teams to participate in the event, if any member of any countries teams are denied a visa. They should also look at putting in place a 25 year moratorium on that country hosting any future qualifying events for that sport.

Anyone want to bet the US Government would change their mind in a hurry?

[Proud Liberal Dem]

11. Don't they always say that the problem is the Iranian government NOT the Iranian people?

I guess that they're not too concerned about the winning the "hearts and minds" of the Iranian people BEFORE we bomb THEM? Not that they really care about anybody but themselves and their cronies of course..........

[StevieM]

12. I'm so saddened by this (and not for dovish reasons)

The Iranian people are wonderful. And, unlike may places in the Middle East, there is a real democratic movement there. They had a democracy at one point (however nascent) and they thought they were having a democratic revolution in 78 before Khomeini hijacked it and lied to them about his intentions. This is one country where a true democracy would produce a secular government, friendly to the United States.

In the late 90s some of our ametuer wrestlers went to Iran and got a huge ovation. The Clinton Administration, under Madeline Albright, established a policy of people-to-people contacts. I thought that Bush supported that policy, he always said that he liked and respected the Iranian people. I can't understand why he would deny the cyclists' visas. These types of exchanges are the perfect way of letting Americans and Iranians get to know each other in a way that builds positive feelings towards the other's people, if not their government.

Steve

[tinymontgomery]

13. Quickly move it to another country

Then deny the American team visas to participate.

[Mika]

14. Right. Move the competition to Cuba! The US will deny travel to the US team.

:thumbsup: