Not participating in the 2012 London Olympics is a nightmare for every serious athlete, but for Iran’s women soccer team, the defeat was extra bitter.

June 3, 2011 Members of the Iranian women's national soccer team walk to the field before withdrawing from their qualifying match against Jordan for the 2012 London Olympic Games in Amman. The Iranian team was banned from the match on Friday in the second round of qualifiers in protest against guidelines on their veil. Ali Jarekji/Reuters