Afghanistan's Olympics team to train on Lesbos

The Olympic team from Afghanistan will spend two months on the Greek resort island of Lesbos to prepare for their return to the games this year after an eight-year absence.

The Olympic team from Afghanistan will spend two months on the Greek resort island of Lesbos to prepare for their return to the games this year after an eight-year absence.

The 22-member delegation has accepted an offer by a Greek aid group to train in May and June on the eastern Aegean Sea island near the Turkish coast. "We have some of the best training facilities in Greece on the island and we will provide them with the best of Greek hospitality," a government official said.

The offer was made by the Emergency Rescue Unit, which has provided the team with medical services in Kabul.

The Afghan team has been training in Iran,and Greece has given uniforms and training equipment.

The Afghan Olympic team is made up of two men competing in Greco-Roman wrestling, five men competing in track events and three women runners.

Afghanistan was suspended from the International Olympic Committee in October 1999 because of the Taliban's ban on women athletes.