July 29, (THEWILL) – After Iranian athlete Javad Foroughi competed to a gold podium finish at the ongoing Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, a campaign group of activists have initiated a call for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to immediately suspend the Olympic shooting gold medal awarded to the Iranian because of Foroughi’s alleged links to terrorism.
The group called “United for Navid” was set up after the state execution of Iranian wrestler Navid Afkari, who participated in protests in Iran before he was arrested and convicted of murdering a security guard during the 2018 Iranian protests and sentenced to death with the Iranian government denying his execution had any connection to the protests.
As a group “United for Navid” had frequently called for action to be taken against Iran for alleged breaches of the Olympic Charter. They have now urged the IOC Ethics Commission to launch an immediate investigation into the background of the gold medalist claiming he is part of a “terrorist organisation”.
They stated that Foroughi is “a current and long-term member” of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps-Quds Force, which the United States has designated as a terrorist organisation in their record of these breakaway terrorist factions across the Middle East, the Arab world and around international borders.
At the Summer Games on Sunday, the Iranian at the centre of the group’s focus, Foroughi, won the 10 metres air pistol gold medal.
“United for Navid” went as far as to warn the IOC of becoming “complicit in promoting terrorism and crimes against humanity” if they treat the information they are providing with levity rather than the utmost seriousness it deserved. Their statement insisted:
“Awarding an Olympic gold medal to a member of a terrorist organisation is an appalling affront to athletes and Olympic ideals and leaves a grievous black mark on the IOC.
“United For Navid calls for an immediate investigation by the IOC, and until an investigation is completed the suspension of any medal award.”
Beside the pressure being mounted by the group, calls have come from other sources urging the IOC to take action against Iran as a whole for the refusal of its athletes to face any athlete from Israel. This refusal comes from the authorities in charge in Iran, who dictate the boycott of anything Israel-related.
Yet, despite the number of such cases, the IOC has refrained from suspending Iran. Other countries have also embarked on withdrawing rather than face Israel. As THEWILL reported, Algerian judoka Fethi Nourine and his coach Amar Benikhlef were sent home from Tokyo 2020 after the athlete withdrew to avoid the possibility of meeting Israeli Tohar Butbul.
Judo’s governing body, the International Judo Federation (IJF) opened an investigation into the case as it handed both Nourine and Benikhlef their suspensions. THEWILL recalls that in April at the 2019 World Championships, Iran instructed Saeid Mollaei to avoid facing an opponent from Israel leading the IJF to slam Iran with a four-year ban.
So far, only the Judo Federation has demonstrated the guts to sanction Iran for its state-backed policy that has interfered with the participation of its athletes at sporting events for decades since it began.
Clearing the air about the position of the IOC on the issue, James Macleod, the IOC director of NOC relations and Olympic Solidarity said: “The IOC is always concerned in these cases and is monitoring it very closely.
“If there are flagrant abuses of the Olympic Charter, the IOC will take all necessary measures in that respect. We will investigate anything that is raised to us, and work with the NOC/IFs on a case-by-case basis.
“The IOC has been very clear that non-discrimination and autonomy are things we will not flinch from.”
It remains to be seen whether they can follow the example of the IJF or whether they will continue to drag their feet and kick the can down the road until the protests peter out.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
