BAGHDAD [url=http://www.parissaintgermainauthority.com/layvin-kurzawa-paris-saint-germain-jersey/]Layvin Kurzawa Jersey[/url] , Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- Iraq held first internationally recognized miss beauty contest since 1972, showing unfamiliar side of a country which its name has become synonymous to violence and epicenter of the world's anti-terror war.

The contest was held at a ballroom of Crystal Grand Ishtar Hotel in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, as crowds of people spilled out of the place.

The jury chose Shaymaa Abdul-Rahman, 20, from Iraq's ethnically mix city of Kirkuk, according to the international criteria of beauty contests [url=http://www.parissaintgermainauthority.com/lassana-diarra-paris-saint-germain-jersey/]Lassana Diarra Jersey[/url] , and under the pressure of those in attendance, especially in the back rows where dozens of young men were shouting her name.

At the end of the contest the green-eyed Shymaa Abdul-Rahman was crowned as Miss Iraq. The winner is a student in the college of management and economics in Kirkuk, some 250 km north of Baghdad.

"This event represents a challenge to us, as we want to prove that Iraq is still a country of beauty and culture in front of terrorism and violence," Rahman told reporters as she was trying to fend off a crowd of admirers who were hoping to win a selfie with her.

"This is a humanitarian message which I will convey to the world," she said.

The winner also said that she will use her fame to launch educational initiatives [url=http://www.parissaintgermainauthority.com/giovani-lo-celso-paris-saint-germain-jersey/]Giovani Lo Celso Jersey[/url] , especially among those people who have been displaced by violence.

The pageant of Miss Iraq was announced September, since then the organizers of the contest faced anger from some religious, and tribal leaders and extremist groups, who see that such events would be against the Muslim and social ethics.

Some contestants withdrew from the event under death threats, which also forced the organizers to cancel the swimsuits show from the contest. In addition, the event was not broadcast live on Iraqi televisions in order to avoid possible harsh critics.

The beauty pageant competition started in Iraq in 1947 [url=http://www.parissaintgermainauthority.com/alphonse-areola-paris-saint-germain-jersey/]Alphonse Areola Jersey[/url] , and the last one was held in 1972.

The latest contest was held as the security situation in Iraq has drastically deteriorated since June 10 last year, when bloody clashes broke out between Iraqi security forces and the Islamic State (IS) extremist group which seizes large parts of the country.

Alexander Zhukov, head of the International Olympic Committee’s Evaluation Commission, arrives in Beijing on Monday for the inspection tour of the capital and Zhangjiakou. Liu Peng (left), head of the General Administration of Sport, and Wang Anshun [url=http://www.parissaintgermainauthority.com/goncalo-guedes-paris-saint-germain-jersey/]Goncalo Guedes Jersey[/url] , mayor of Beijing, met Zhukov at the airport.[PhotoXinhua]

The joint bid by Beijing and Zhangjiakou to stage the 2022 Olympic Winter Games is based on ideas of sustainability and frugality and places athletes center stage, according to the capital's mayor.

"Holding the games in a frugal way is not a slogan, it's a reality," said Wang Anshun. "We will make full use of our current sports facilities and strictly control construction costs."

The bid process enters a key phase this week with the arrival of the International Olympic Committee's Evaluation Commission to inspect the proposed venues and assess the country's ability to host the Games. The visit starts on Tuesday and continues until Saturday.

The bid plan features six existing venues and six new ones spread between the capital's downtown area, Yanqing district and Zhangjiakou in Hebei province.

"The bid has inherited the legacy of the 2008 Beijing Olympics to the largest possible extent and has made the best use of existing venues to reduce the financial pressure and demonstrate the spirit of sustainable development [url=http://www.parissaintgermainauthority.com/thomas-meunier-paris-saint-germain-jersey/]Thomas Meunier Jersey[/url] ," added Wang, a National People's Congress deputy.

"The new competition venues will provide a long-lasting legacy for the future development of winter sports and fuel the regional economy."

He said the existing venues have helped to improve the development of sport in the capital and enrich the lives of residents.

Chongli county in Zhangjiakou, which is about 200 km northwest of the capital, has been earmarked to host the ski events.

Four existing ski parks are being upgraded, said Wang, who was speaking during this month's annual session of the NPC.

The county's skiing facilities have attracted more than 3 million visitors over the past three months [url=http://www.parissaintgermainauthority.com/angel-di-maria-paris-saint-germain-jersey/]Angel Di Maria Jersey[/url] , including Beijing residents and enthusiasts from a number of countries.

"Whether we are building new venues or transforming existing ones, all will reach the standards required for the Winter Olympics, and this will ensure they can be fully used after the Games," added Wang. "This is an example of frugality."

Turning to the issue of sustainability, he said hosting the Games would play a major part in the integrated development of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei [url=http://www.parissaintgermainauthority.com/kylian-mbappe-paris-saint-germain-jersey/]Kylian Mbappe Jersey[/url] , while creating a long-term legacy in the region.

Wang said the cities are ready for the arrival of the IOC's Evaluation Commission. One issue the inspectors are likely to raise as they assess the bid is air pollution.

"We are prepared to reduce the use of coal, alleviate pollution caused by traffic, extend the use of new-energy vehicles and ask more polluting plants to move out of Beijing," Wang said.

"We promise the air quality will meet World Health Organization standards by the start of the winter of 2022."

Beijing and Zhangjiakou are competing with Almaty in Kazakhstan for the right to host the Games, and the winner will be announced on July 31.

Skiers perform at the opening ceremony for the 14th Chongli International Ski festival near Zhangjiakou in northern China's Hebei province, Dec 6 [url=http://www.parissaintgermainauthority.com/marco-verratti-paris-saint-germain-jersey/]Marco Verratti Jersey[/url] , 2014. [PhotoIC]

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