KUWAIT CITY (AP) — Kuwaiti athletes will be allowed to compete under their country’s flag at the London Games.

The International Olympic Committee suspended Kuwait in 2010 because of political interference. The IOC said in May Kuwaiti athletes may participate at the games despite the dispute, but would have to compete and march in the opening ceremony under the Olympic flag.

IOC spokesman Mark Adams said Sunday the Kuwaiti flag will fly at the London Olympics.

The Kuwait News Agency praised the decision, which was announced a day after Kuwaiti officials met with IOC President Jacques Rogge. The state-run news agency did not give details of the meeting.

Kuwait is sending 11 athletes to the Olympics that start July 27. They will compete in shooting, table tennis, swimming and track and field.

Qatar loses appeal over Olympics match forfeit

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — The Asian Football Confederation says the Qatar Football Association has lost its appeal against forfeiting a qualifying match against Oman for the London Olympics because it fielded an ineligible player.

The AFC says the Court of Arbitration for Sport has ruled that FIFA’s judicial bodies were right to award Oman a 3-0 victory by default. The match last November had ended 1-1.

A CAS panel reviewed the case last Wednesday.

Qatar fielded midfielder Abdelaziz Hatim against Oman when he should have served a suspension for receiving yellow cards in two previous matches.

Oman advanced from the Asian Olympics qualifying tournament, but lost a playoff against Senegal in April.

Libyan Olympic Committee chief abducted in Tripoli

TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) — Gunmen in the Libyan capital have abducted the head of the country’s Olympic committee.

Salah al-Alam says assailants snatched his brother, Libyan Olympic Committee chief Ahmed Nabil al-Taher al-Alam on Sunday near the organisation’s offices in central Tripoli. He says there has been no contact with him since.

Salah al-Alam says he learned of the kidnapping from his brother’s friend, who was there when the abduction took place. The gunmen bundled al-Alam into a car and sped off, leaving the friend on the street.

Security officials said Monday they are investigating. They didn’t provide any further details.

The committee chief was friends with ousted leader Moammar Gadhafi’s son, Mohammed, and also served as the head of the Libyan Football Association before the longtime ruler’s ouster in last year’s civil war.