Iran's Two Gold and Silver Medals Withdrawn at Hangzhou Para-Asian Games

Following a protest from China and a review by the organizing committee of the Hangzhou Para-Asian Games, the gold and silver medals of Hashemieh Motaghian and Zeinab Moradi were withdrawn due to "violation of game regulations." According to Iranian media, the Vice Presidency of Competitive Sports of the National Paralympic Committee of the Islamic Republic confirmed this news and reported Iran's "protest" against this decision by the officials of the Para-Asian Games in China. Chinese sports officials objected to the "late arrival" of Iranian athletes at the "call room" for the women's F-56 javelin throw, and their request was accepted by the organizing committee. Iranian athletes have previously faced disqualifications, title withdrawals, or financial penalties in international competitions due to disorder or non-compliance with regulations by the sports officials of the Islamic Republic. In this context, on the fourth day of the Asian Road Cycling Championship held in Khordad, Iranian female cyclists were unable to continue the competition due to reasons such as "punctures" and "late arrival at the starting line," and the management was fined for "non-compliance with clothing." Last year in Shahrivar, Fatemeh Sadeghi was declared a loser by judges in the "Karate One" competition in Baku due to "not adhering to belt color and shoulder pads" and also for "one minute delay in entering the tatami." Sports officials of the Islamic Republic have never apologized, resigned, or been dismissed for such infractions that have led to the disqualification of Iranian athletes and the cancellation of Iran's opportunity to secure championship standings in various sports. Meanwhile, the Iranian government has consistently sought to exploit sports as a political tool in domestic areas, such as detaining protesting athletes, and in international cases, such as preventing Iranian athletes from competing against their counterparts from Israel. The first gold medal for Iran in the Asian Games was in volleyball; Mehdi Rostampour explains. The opening ceremony of the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China; the selection of the name "Martyr Hajji" for Iran's sports delegation. Iran's wrestling team lost to the USA in two finals of the world competitions.