The athlete had completed in fourth place within the Mixed Boulder and Lead closing of the current Worldwide Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) Asian Championships, the place she eliminated her head masking for a part of the competitors. Iranian ladies dwell beneath a state-mandated gown code that’s stricter than that of many different Muslim-majority nations; athletes who symbolize the nation overseas are additionally required to put on a headband.
Quite a few worldwide teams raised issues about Rekabi’s destiny when she returned to Iran after which on Tuesday, the athlete posted a message on Instagram apparently meant to assuage fears for her security.
“I, Elnaz Rekabi, with greater than 20 years of expertise within the nationwide Iranian mountain climbing crew, apologize for the issues I’ve created. I have to announce that because of the sensitivity of the ultimate competitions of the championship of Asia on account of improper timing and the unexpected invitation for me to climb, my outfit was inadvertently problematic.”
Rekabi added that she was returning to Iran along with her crew “in response to the prior schedule.”
In current weeks, many younger ladies in Iran’s cities have taken off their headscarves to protest the dying of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who was arrested for violating the nation’s the gown code. Amini fell right into a coma after allegedly being crushed by the morality police. Rekabi’s resolution to put on a sweatband for a part of the competitors in South Korea was extensively interpreted as an indication of solidarity and an act of protest.
“I don’t assume some other [Iranian] ladies athletes have carried out something like that,” mentioned Pardis Minuchehr, who teaches Center Japanese tradition and literature at California State College at Lengthy Seashore. “This had a symbolic, political significance.”
Iranian safety forces have responded to the protests over Amini’s dying with intimidation and repression. The demonstrations have additionally been used to air grievances over many years of political repression, poverty, state-sponsored violence and gender discrimination within the nation.
Because the protests started in September, dozens have been killed, in response to rights teams, and at the least 92 members of civil society — together with journalists, activists and legal professionals — have been arrested.
Earlier than her message was posted on Instagram, the BBC’s Persian Service reported that her mates had not been in a position to attain her, citing unidentified sources. Iranian forces are alleged to have killed different youngsters concerned within the protests as properly.
In an announcement launched on Tuesday following Rekabi’s message, the Worldwide Federation of Sport Climbing mentioned it was involved with Rekabi and the Iranian Climbing Federation, because it tries to “set up the information.”
“Our understanding is that she is returning to Iran, and we’ll proceed to watch the scenario because it develops on her arrival,” the assertion mentioned, stressing the necessary of athletes’ security to the federation.
South Korea’s Overseas Ministry was not instantly out there for remark Tuesday.
Rekabi, who gained a bronze medal on the IFSC Climbing World Championships in Moscow final 12 months, advised Russian state media in 2018 that gender is just not an necessary think about aggressive climbing. Girls can compete with males “on the identical degree,” she mentioned.
One other Iranian feminine athlete, Sadaf Khadem, made headlines after profitable a 2019 boxing match whereas carrying shorts and a sleeveless prime and no headband. The athlete mentioned she had been tipped off to a warrant for her arrest and now lives in France.
“As a result of every thing is so unstable and intense, we don’t know what may occur to” Rekabi, mentioned Shahla Haeri, a professor at Boston College who has studied regulation, gender and faith within the Center East. “What is anticipated of Iran, nobody can predict.”
Babak Dehghanpisheh and Miriam Berger contributed to this report.
