Iran to participate in London Olympics

TEHRAN, March 14 (MNA) -- Secretary General of Iran National Olympic Committee Bahram Afsharzadeh said Iran will have a glorious presence in the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Iranian officials had filed an official complaint to the International Olympic Committee about the use of the word 'Zion' - a Biblical term for Israel - in the London 2012 Logo; but, it was rejected.

IOC president Jacques Rogge said , "No, it can't be serious. We will quietly reply, telling [Iran] the logo has nothing to do with racism or any political connotation."

On Friday, British Prime Minister David Cameron said the Iranians would not be missed if they did not attend the event. He said, "It's completely paranoid. If the Iranians don't want to come, don't come - we won't miss you. It would be a crazy reason for not coming."

Nonetheless, Iran is going to partake in the event.

“British politicians mustn’t comment on the matter. We are going to take part gloriously in the 2012 Olympic Games,” Afsharzadeh said.

“We will follow up on the issue with the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and the IOC,” he added.