Fearing torture and possible execution, Iranian powerlifter quit team in Norway and ran for his life
But at the IPF World Powerlifting Championships held in November, one athlete wasn’t competing for glory;Instead, he too fled the team hotel in fear of his life, after taking a selfie video that showed him standing next to the Israeli team and their flag in what appears to be a gathering of all teams on a field. In subsequent media interviews, Safa has explained the situation and revealed that he is now being pressured to return home to Iran. He is currently seeking asylum in Europe.In the same month, according to Iranian media reporting, the Iranian chess grandmaster Mohammad Amin Tabatabaei was forced to withdraw from the Abbey Blitz tournament in Latvia to avoid playing an Israeli opponent.For many years, it has been an open secret in international sports circles that the Iranian government won’t allow its athletes to compete against Israelis. But in September, Iran’s Supreme Leader made the regime’s position much clearer. Speaking in a televised media conference, Khamenei said, “That’s why I ask you and dear sports officials and athletes, don’t be ashamed. They will continue fighting us. So, it is the duty of our Ministry of Sports, Foreign Ministry, and legal channels to support our athletes.”We can’t let our athletes compete with athletes of a murderous regime for the sake of a medal.” In 2020, the Iranian government executed the wrestler Afkari. He was found guilty of murder, although his family and human rights campaigners argue that his trial was a sham.Since then, an increasing number of A sudden, unexpected, gut-punch like that would be unthinkable to most people and certainly to international athletes. Assadollahzadeh wrestled with his emotions and concluded, “The Islamic Republic regime is forcefully trying to get the athletes involved in politics. “I ask the International Olympic Committee and all related organizations to help Iranian athletes and not be okay with these athletes being forced to stay away from their country, their home, just because they are faced with no other choice but to leave. “I am very, very, very unhappy at the fact that I may never see my family again. It is very painful for me. It is very difficult for me to put it in words.” He might not have the words, but he will never forget the impact on his family. His father started crying when they spoke on the phone, “It was the first time in my life that I saw the tears of my dad.”