BAGHDAD, July 25, 2008 (AFP) - A glimmer of hope that Iraqi athletes could be reinstated for the Beijing Olympics after their nation was banned from the August Games did little to cheer Iraq's seven member squad Friday.

Dejected Iraqi athletes reeled with disappointment even as the International Olympic Committee said there was a slim chance that Iraq's team might still be able to compete in the Olympics.

'There is a slight hope that remains,' an IOC spokeswoman told AFP on condition of anonymity.

'The dateline for athletes is open until the end of July. Provided that the Iraqi government stops interfering, the suspension on the Iraqi Olympic committee could be lifted.'

The IOC confirmed in a letter dated July 23 the prohibition of seven Iraqi Olympic athletes after first imposing the ban on the war-ravaged country's sporting officials for political interference last month.

'In spite of all the joint efforts of IOC and OCA (Olympic Council of Asia), over the last months to find a positive solution with the Iraqi government authorities, we regretfully inform you that the decision of the IOC executive board dated 4 June 2008 to suspend the National Olympic Committee of Iraq is confirmed,' said the letter.

In a separate statement issued Thursday the IOC said it was 'disappointed they have been so ill-served by their own government's actions,' and that the deadline to register athletes had expired.

Iraqi athletes were bitterly disappointed.

'There is a small hope, but we are not expecting much,' said Hamzah Hussein, 32, one of two Iraqi Olympic rowers who had hoped to be heading to China.

'I was so depressed after I got the news that we would be deprived from participating in the Olympic games in Beijing 2008,' he added.

'It seems that we are paying the price for the current conflict in the Iraqi sport scene,' said the lean and muscular athlete.

Hussein's teammate Haidar Nozad, 25, was similarly dejected.

'I had been training continuously with my friend for more than 70 days to be ready for this great and universal event,' said Nozad.

'Suddenly, we find ourselves outside the walls of the Olympics, it is a painful and sad decision.'