Lawmaker urges gov’t to compensate athlete over gold medal sparing

Iranian lawmaker and head of Iran-Palestine friendship group, Amir Khojasteh has welcomed a move by Iranian wrestler Alireza Karimi in sparing gold in order not to face an athlete from the occupying Israel.

Alireza Karimi-Mashiani threw an international bout when he was ahead because winning would have meant fighting an opponent from Israel.

His move came in a show of solidarity with the Palestinian nation.

Khojasteh told the Qods News Agency (Qodsna) that the athlete’s move is stronger than thousands of missiles against Israel, arguing that his move made the world to know that an Iran hero is ready not to recognize Israel at the cost of gold medal.

The lawmaker urged the relevant authorities to console the athlete and duly compensate him.

Iran has praised the wrestler for his “noble and heroic action” and called him “a source of pride and praise.”

Iranian wrestling federation too called him a hero and extolled his sacrifice in the path of the Palestinian cause.