Lack of solidarity prompts cancellation of Islamic Solidarity Games

The Islamic Solidarity Games 2009, already postponed once due to a simmering disagreement between Iran and Arab states, have been cancelled. The cancellation isn't due to worries about unrest in host country Iran, or to any of the multitude of issues that might be of concern: Iran's nuclear ambitions; meddling in regional affairs; border disputes; terrorism sponsorship; and the like. Rather, the Arab states, led by Saudi Arabia, refuse to participate owing to a matter of semantics -- Iran insists on naming the body of water to its south the Persian Gulf, whereas the Arab states call it the Arabian Gulf. This might be no big deal except that Iran has inscribed "Persian Gulf" on the games' medals and other paraphernalia.

Damn it, I was so looking forward to the floor routines of the suicide bombing events, where contestants only have one chance to get it right.