PARIS, Oct 4: The three Iraqi wrestlers arrived late, tired and overweight... but at least they came.

Unable to take part in the freestyle world championships in New York last month because of visa problems, Iraq has been welcomed with open arms in France for the Greco-Roman worlds.

Just weeks after the end of the U.S. and British-led invasion swept Saddam Hussein from power in Baghdad, the 30 wrestling clubs still functioning after the war got together to pick four athletes to represent their country.

Iraq has not taken part in a world championship since before the 1991 conflict and the sport’s ruling body FILA offered to pay the travel costs of the eight-man delegation and their accommodation while in Creteil, on the outskirts of Paris.

But the team set off too late on their 10-hour drive to Amman, where they caught a plane to the French capital, and missed the weigh-ins for the tournament.

FILA allowed them to weigh in late but one of the wrestlers had missed the draw for the pool stage and was not allowed to compete. The other three, Ali Jassim, Ali Salman and Ahmed Wali, were late to bed and managed just 90 minutes practice before the competition started on Thursday, officials said.

Unfortunately the war had disrupted their training so much they are all fighting in classes above their normal weight.

“They are so tired, it will be impossible for them to make a good impression,” one French official said on Friday.

Despite the problems, the delegation was delighted with their reception in Paris — some of them have not been outside Iraq for 15 years — and are now looking forward to the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

Iraqi officials are trying to organise a one-week training camp with the French squad to help their preparations but they admit they could face problems qualifying for the Games.

They hope FILA will continue to turn a benevolent eye and award Iraqis one or two wildcards if qualifying does not go well.—Reuters