The Iranian National Wrestling team will boycott several U.S. events, including a dual meet with the American National team at Bender Arena, to protest the United States' presence in Shiite holy cities in Iraq, the Associated Press reported late last month.
The team was to compete in the Titan Games in Atlanta, an Olympics preparation competition, on June 19-20 before coming to AU's campus June 24.
The Iranian National Fencing team also boycotted the Titan Games and last week's New York Grand Prix fencing event.
Iran said it would reconsider the boycott if coalition forces withdrew from Najaf and other holy cities. The Imam Ali Mosque in Najaf was damaged in May during a battle between coalition forces and Iraqi rebels.
U.S. military officials said the damage was probably caused by the insurgents, but Iranian officials said they hold the United States responsible.
The wrestling meets at Bender Arena at the Titan Games were to be among the biggest positives in the U.S.-Iran relationship since the 1998 World Cup, when Iranians rioted after Iran defeated the United States in the tournament.
