BREAKING: SYRIAN OLYMPIC HEAD REFUSED VISA FOR LONDON..

The head of the Syrian Olympic Committee, General Mowaffak Joumaa, has been refused a visa to travel to London for the Games, the BBC has learnt.

It is understood the application has been refused because of his links to President Bashar al-Assad's regime.

The decision was made at a recent meeting of senior officials from the Home Office, Foreign Office and Department of Culture, Media and Sport.

Don't think Syria were up for many medals anyway.. No big loss!

opens the door to boycotts though.. maybe that's the plan? to push Russia, Iran and China to boycott the games meaning we (Britain) has a shot at winning some medals :)

What a spiteful and childish thing to do!

Can always reapply, may have gotten lost in the mail.)

Its just not cricket, old chap, you don't bring politics into sport...

The Olympic Games have always been political. They're a load of old shit!

Government's should stay clear; the games are for ordinary people to enjoy, and also athletes to participate in. The Olympic Games should not be used for 'government dick waving'.

Although, I don't think the London Olympics will be as good as the Beijing event. The Opening Ceremony was awesome. Our Opening Ceremony will be shit by comparison!