Rasoul Khadem to Officials: Do Not Use National Heroes as Shields

In the ongoing controversy over preventing Iranian athletes from competing against Israelis, which began with the resignation of the wrestling federation president, Rasoul Khadem accused politicians in his second statement, published on Saturday, March 3, of using national heroes as "shields" for themselves. According to ISNA, Khadem accused Islamic Republic political officials of "indifference to the status of national heroes" and lying, stating that the awards and honors athletes achieve are merely a form of social entertainment for responsible officials. The resigned president of Iran's wrestling federation had previously called on political authorities to inform the International Olympic Committee of the country's stance on Iranian athletes facing Israeli competitors and to "stand by it." Two days later, he resigned, stating, "I cannot lie to wrestling to stay in my position," which led to supportive reactions from provincial wrestling federation heads who collectively announced their resignations on March 1. Iran and Israel have had a hostile relationship since the 1979 revolution, with Islamic Republic officials consistently speaking of the destruction of Israel. Israel also views Iran as a threat to peace and stability in the region and the world. While Iran's suspension from participating in global wrestling competitions due to Tehran's policy of avoiding confrontation with Israeli athletes has become a serious threat, Iranian judoka Mohammad Mohammadi Barimanlou withdrew from the International Judo competition in Germany on March 4 to avoid competing against an Israeli opponent. Previously, the World Wrestling Federation had suspended Alireza Karimi for six months due to a forced loss, and his coach was banned for two years from international competitions. In the continuation of these protests, which have not yet elicited a response from the government of Hassan Rouhani or the Supreme National Security Council, Khadem issued a new and sharper statement, referring to the remarks of "distinguished officials affiliated with political and sometimes military institutions," stating: "Either they truly do not understand the issue or they pretend not to know." He continued, "My entire message to those who remember the term 'Zionist regime' as a red line of the political system is that if you truly believe in what you say as a principle... emulate General Qassem Soleimani [commander of the Quds Force] and take up arms and lead the national athletes. Do not use national heroes as shields for yourselves." Khadem's remarks could be a response to comments made by the head of the Basij organization, who had severely criticized the wrestling federation president's position. Gholamhossein Ghaibparvar, the head of the Basij, without naming Khadem, stated: "I urge that the issue of the occupying regime not be presented as a personal preference from official platforms; this is a grave error... It is not right for someone, even a responsible official, to come and say something from an official podium out of excitement and agitation." Khadem, who is a well-known wrestler and medalist, further stated in his statement in support of athletes, especially Iranian wrestlers: "We send the national hero forward passively and victimized, without any diplomatic support. Then we are forced to ask the athlete to lose or fall ill before facing the Zionist regime, contrary to our claims." Khadem reminded that from July to October of the next year, 1397, Iran will have eight global wrestling competitions, warning that "the game of losing early or falling ill no longer works" and addressed the Islamic Republic officials, saying, "You must also come to the field, and if we are to lose, let us 'lose together.'" Since 1983, the Islamic Republic has prevented Iranian athletes from facing their Israeli counterparts, but there is no approved law in this regard. The president of the World Wrestling Federation warned last week that the penalty imposed on Alireza Karimi and his coach was a light penalty, but if repeated, it would have severe consequences for Iranian sports.