Brunei excluded from Beijing Games

BEIJING (Reuters) - Brunei was excluded from the Olympic Games after it did not register any athletes for competition, the International Olympic Committee said on Friday.

"It is a great shame and very sad for the athletes who lose out because of the decision by their team not to register them," IOC spokeswoman Emmanuelle Moreau said in a statement. "The IOC tried up until the last minute, midday Friday, to have them register, but to no avail."

The decision meant only 204 countries would take part in the Games' opening ceremony parade.