BAGHDAD (AP):

Iraqi athletes and officials were jubilant yesterday after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) revoked a ban on their country's participation in Olympics and allowed more athletes to compete in Beijing.

The IOC decision to rescind its suspension of Iraq's Olympic association came late Tuesday after last-minute talks, during which an Iraqi government delegation pledged to hold free elections for its national Olympic committee under international observation.

The International Rowing Fede-ration said yesterday that the Iraq men's rowing double will also be allowed to take part in the Beijing Olympics.

IOC officials late Tuesday had said that Iraq would only be able to send two track and field athletes to the Games, as the deadline for their entry into competitions was yesterday.

"We called the IOC and asked if we could have the rowers back and the answer just came through. We're very happy," said Matt Smith, the rowing federation's executive director.

The IOC readmitted Iraq to the Olympics six days after the deadline to enter athletes for the judo, rowing, archery and weight-lifting competitions had passed.