Libya Olympics

Qatar emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani abdicated in favour of his 33-year-old son, Sheikh Tamim, today, in a first for the Arab world.

Libya's Olympic committee chief Nabil al-Alam was released on Sunday, a week after gunmen abducted him in broad daylight in Tripoli, his office and family said. "He is out and everything is okay," said Arafat Juwan, manager of his office.

Athletes and sports programs in Libya were woefully neglected during Moammar Gaddafi's four-decade rule. With Gaddafi's regime toppled last month, Libya's athletes and sports officials are hoping for a better future.

A 60-hour journey from their conflict-torn homeland did not end happily for Libya as they lost 4-2 to South Africa Sunday in a 2012 London Olympics qualifier.

Qatar emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani abdicated in favour of his 33-year-old son, Sheikh Tamim, today, in a first for the Arab world.

Libya's Olympic committee chief Nabil al-Alam was released on Sunday, a week after gunmen abducted him in broad daylight in Tripoli, his office and family said. "He is out and everything is okay," said Arafat Juwan, manager of his office.

Athletes and sports programs in Libya were woefully neglected during Moammar Gaddafi's four-decade rule. With Gaddafi's regime toppled last month, Libya's athletes and sports officials are hoping for a better future.

A 60-hour journey from their conflict-torn homeland did not end happily for Libya as they lost 4-2 to South Africa Sunday in a 2012 London Olympics qualifier.