For a nation ravaged by war, there's hope. Iraq's Olympic team have arrived in Beijing after days of uncertainty surrounding their chances of competing in the 2008 Olympics.

Iraq's Olympic team have arrived in Beijing  after days of uncertainty surrounding their  chances of competing in the 2008 Olympics. (Xinhua)

The four athletes touched down in the Chinese capital on Monday evening. The team were greeted at Beijing's terminal 3 airport by a crowd of jubilant Iraqis waving flags and bouquets of flowers.

Iraq was banned in late July after the government disbanded the country's National Olympic Committee because of a dispute over how it had been assembled. Towards the end of last week, the IOC announced that four athletes, including Discus thrower, Haidar Nasir, sprinter Dana Hussein and double sculls crew, Haidar Nozad and Hamzah Hussein Jebur would be allowed to compete in Beijing.

Iraq's Olympic team have arrived in Beijing after days  of uncertainty surrounding their chances of competing in  the 2008 Olympics.

Reigning Wimbledon and French Open champion Rafael  Nadal arrived in Beijing on Monday, ready to win  Olympic gold.

Reigning Wimbledon and French Open champion Rafael Nadal arrived in Beijing on Monday, ready to win Olympic gold.

When the new ATP rankings are released in mid August they will confirm that Rafael Nadal has usurped Roger Federer as world number one after a record 237-week stint at the top from the Swiss.