Iranian judoko refuses to play against Israeli opponent
Tehran, Aug 15. (AP): Iranian judo champion Arash Miresmaili has withdrawn from the Olympics after refusing to play against an Israeli opponent, the official Islamic Republic News Agency reported Saturday.
"I refused to play against an Israeli rival to sympathize with the oppressed Palestinian people," IRNA quoted Miresmaili as saying.
Miresmaili refused to play Israeli opponent Ehud Vaks in the 66-kilogram category.
Miresmaili was world judo champion in 2001 and 2003.
Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel, the conservative speaker of Iran's parliament, congratulated Miresmaili on his "brave decision."
"Your disqualification because of supporting Palestine would promote your position in the heart of Muslims," Haddad-Adel said, according to IRNA.
Iran does not recognize Israel and bans any contact with the Jewish state.
Ali Kafashian, deputy head of Iran's sports organization, suggested awarding Miresmaili a special prize because of his refusal.
Earlier, Bahram Afsharzadeh, secretary of Iran's national Olympic committee, said the disqualification of Miresmaili, who carried Iran's national flag in the Olympic opening ceremony, had produced frustration among the Iranian team in Athens.
http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/holnus/007200408150902.htm
This was one of my highlights for the news today. It made me a bit sick to see that even at the Olympics; certain countries have to make political statements. Have Iranian athletes done this before?