Hands Off the Baghdad Swimming Pool!

"The US army came to Iraq not to swim in the pool and drink Coca Cola"
The US troops in Iraq often use civil objects not for what they are designed. A swimming center in Baghdad may serve an example in this case.

The only Iraqi swimming pool 50 meters long was situated in the Iraqi capital. That was the place where under Saddam's regime athletes trained before Olympic Games and world championships. However, American military stationed in Baghdad decided that the swimming pool was a wonderful place for having rest.

This is the reason why Iraqi swimmer Mohammed Abbas participating in the World Championship in Barcelona appealed to US troops carrying out the war operation on the territory of Iraq. He called upon American soldiers to leave alone the 50-meter swimming pool in Baghdad. "The US army came to Iraq not to swim in the pool and drink Coca Cola. It is a war when soldiers don't need a swimming pool. Give it back to us."
 
Over the period since the war started in the country, Iraqi sport that earlier was under the patronage of one of Saddam's sons has faced really serious problems. Buildings of sports federations were plundered and burnt down; sports teams lost their training bases as they were seized by occupation forces.