Syria has said that that countries athletes will not compete at next month's Olympic Games in London in protest at what Syria claims is a consorted effort by the West to undermine that country's sovereignty.
The pull out means that several events, previously dominated by Syrian athletes, could lead to more gold for the USA.
One event in particular, the women's snatch, in previous years dominated by Syrian superstar Fatima Rice seems wide open, with one Olympic official stating that without the Syrian's the women's snatch is not only wide open but is now a gaping hole that needs filling.
The women's snatch is one of the most hairy events in the Olympics, it takes a lot of patience and should not be rushed, and plenty of lubrication is required before a competitor attempts to enter the event.
The current American champion, Rachel Quim, says she will quite happily fill the gap left by the Syrians and that she is eager as a beaver to get to London and has been training hard, preparing her snatch, in optimism she can lick the competition and not fall on her fanny.
