Bangladesh's preparation for the upcoming Beijing Olympics is in full swing with six players to compete in three sports of athletics, shooting and swimming.

Since independence in 1971, Bangladesh has never qualified for the Olympics. In order to increase the number of countries to be present in the Games, the International Olympic Committee issues some wild cards every time to those countries who are not qualified.

Bangladesh got six wild cards for the Beijing Olympics, two each for the three sports.

Bangladesh Olympic Association director and CEO Wali Ullah told Xinhua in an interview that Bangladesh is weak in sports, because the country's economy is not developed.

"In order to improve our sports, we must develop our economy, because sports and economy are related," he said.

Ullah said Bangladesh is well preparing for the Beijing Olympics, all the players who will attend the Games are under hard training.

Bangladesh Swimming Federation General Secretary M S Kabir said they will send one male and one female swimmers to the Beijing Olympics.

The players are being trained in the national swimming team. They said they will try best to have good results in the Olympics.

The female swimmer is 19-year-old Dori, she attended Sydney Olympics in 2000 and Athens Olympics in 2004, Beijing Olympics will be the third time for her to be in Olympics.

Bangladesh Shooting Federation General Secretary Nazim Uddin said one male and one female shooters will attend Beijing Olympics, he hoped these two players will have good performances.

Bangladesh Athletics Federation General Secretary Musharaf said one male and one female players will attend 100-meter sprint in the Beijing Olympics.

Musharaf said the track and field sports in Bangladesh is very poor. "Because of lacking in fund, we can't attract good players, and also no fund to train players," he said.

Musharaf hoped big sports countries like China and Japan can render some help in order for Bangladesh to develop sports.

Bangladesh sent observer to Olympic Games in 1976, and sent players for the first time to 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

(Xinhua News Agency June 16, 2008)