Call to Action Against Iran’s Participation in Sports

The former coach of Iran’s national wrestling team, a vocal critic of the regime, is urging sports organizations to exclude Iran from competitions, especially in light of the recent executions of many anti-government protesters.

Wrestling, which holds significant cultural importance in Iran, has suffered deeply as the regime responds violently to protests aimed at ending decades of oppressive rule. Recently, reports came out indicating that Parsa Lorestani, a 15-year-old wrestler and protester from Zageh, was killed during a demonstration. Footage of him wrestling was widely circulated before his tragic death at the hands of a government sniper in Khoramabad.

Sardar Palshey, a former head coach, expressed his outrage on social media, sharing the tragic fate of another young wrestling champion, Erfan Khali, who was shot and killed at just 20 years old. He called for the international community to raise their voices in support of imprisoned athletes.

Prominent dissident Masih Alinejad highlighted the regime’s brutality, stating that over 40,000 protesters, including many athletes, have perished, while the government uses international events as a facade to mask its crimes. With the FIFA World Cup on the horizon, she insists that FIFA must take a strong stance against the regime.

Alinejad also pointed out that the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has a firm grip on every aspect of Iranian life, including sports. She urged organizations like FIFA and the International Olympic Committee to refuse to endorse a regime responsible for such atrocities and to consider a boycott.

Afsoon Roshanzamir Johnston, a former wrestling medalist, shared her dismay over the violence against protesters, particularly focusing on the plight of male and female athletes who face severe repression. She reminisced about her own experiences during the Iranian revolution and condemned the current situation, pushing for global action to halt the regime’s oppressive measures.

Palshey is actively campaigning against allowing Iran to host any sporting events. He believes action must be taken to prevent legitimization of a regime that murders its own people.

When asked about the possibility of banning Iran from the Olympics, the IOC’s media team stated they would keep engaging with stakeholders while remaining in contact with the Iranian Olympic community.

Dan Russell from Wrestling for Peace asserted the importance of athletes standing together during this crisis, emphasizing the need for immediate actions to stop executions and ensure protections for those who speak out.

Despite widespread criticism of the Iranian regime, not all experts agree on the need to ban Iran from competitions. Potkin Azalmeer, a British-Iranian analyst, argued that allowing the Iranian wrestling team to compete could provide a platform for dissent and awareness among spectators, suggesting that it might be more beneficial than a complete ban.