IOC Pressed to Investigate Iranian Medalist

Sports

July 30th, 6:12am

Asharq Al-Awsat

Javad Foroughi of Iran celebrates after winning the gold medal in the men's 10-meter air pistol at the Asaka Shooting Range in the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

The International Olympic Committee has challenged campaigners to show proof that an Iranian gold medalist shooter is a member of the Revolutionary Guard Corps. The “United for Navid” group has called on the IOC to open an ethics investigation and to suspend the Tokyo Olympics title won by Javad Foroughi in men’s 10-meter air pistol. IOC spokesman Mark Adams says “we would encourage them if they have any evidence to send that to us," reported The Associated Press. Foroughi has reportedly served in Syria as a nurse with the IRGC, which the United States designated a terrorist organization in 2019. “United for Navid” campaigns for Iran to be excluded from international sports. It is named for wrestler Navid Afkari, who was executed last year for an alleged murder in 2018 during the time of demonstrations against the Iranian government. IOC president Thomas Bach and soccer’s world body FIFA joined calls for Afkari’s life to be spared.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3105876/ioc-pressed-investigate-iranian-medalist