Misc

Associated Press, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH: Normally basketball is an afterthought for Iranian sports fans, given the popularity of soccer, weightlifting and wrestling. But with Iran's national basketball team preparing for its first Olympic appearance in 60 years, that has changed. "For every athlete, it is like a dream to participate in the Olympic Games — especially for us because basketball in Iran is not that ... important," captain and forward Samad Bahrami said. "Everyone is looking for you and taking care of you." By beating Lebanon for the FIBA Asian Championship last year, Iran clinched its first Olympic basketball berth since 1948 — a different era for both the Olympics and the world. The '48 Games took place in London, which was still cleaning up the rubble left by years of bombing raids during World War II. Iran itself was only a decade removed from being known as Persia>>>