An Iranian climber who caused a sensation by competing at an event abroad without a hijab was yesterday given a hero’s welcome on her return to Tehran by supporters who raucously applauded her action.
With Iran still shaken by women-led protests over the death of Mahsa Amini one month ago, Elnaz Rekabi flew back to a Tehran airport after competing in the International Federation of Sport Climbing Asian Championships in Seoul.
Rekabi has apologized over what happened on Sunday, and said her hijab — which all Iranian women including athletes must wear — had accidentally slipped off.
Photo: EPA-EFE
However, activists fear her comments were made due to pressure from the Iranian authorities.
“Elnaz is a hero,” chanted dozens of supporters who gathered outside the Imam Khomeini International Airport terminal, clapping their hands and brandishing mobile phones to record the moment.
They continued to chant and applaud as a van and vehicle — one of which they presumed was carrying the climber — drove out of the airport through a sea of people clapping above their heads.
Photo: AFP - Source: Anonymous / ESN
It was unclear where she was headed. Some of the women present were not wearing hijab.
“A hero’s welcome ... outside Tehran airport for-pro climber Elnaz Rekabi. Concerns for her safety remain,” the New York-based Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) said.
Inside the airport terminal Rekabi was greeted by family members, before addressing state media.
“Due to the atmosphere prevailing in the finals of the competition and the unexpected call for me to start my run, I got tangled with my technical equipment and ... that caused me to remain unaware of the hijab that I should have observed,” she said.
“I returned to Iran peacefully, in perfect health and according to the predetermined plan. I apologize to the people of Iran because of the tensions created,” she said.
Observers “should not be swayed by state propaganda,” the CHRI said.
Manchester United on Tuesday confirmed Michael Carrick as interim manager until the end of the season, tasking him with leading the Red Devils back into the UEFA Champions League. “Having the responsibility to lead Manchester United is an honor,” said Carrick, 44, who won 12 major trophies in his 12-year playing career at United. The former midfielder previously had an unbeaten three-game stint as caretaker boss at Old Trafford in 2021. Carrick then took on his first permanent managerial role at second-tier Middlesbrough in October 2022 and was sacked in June last year after the club finished 10th in the
James Harden on Friday scored 31 points and came up big in overtime to help the Los Angeles Clippers erase a double-digit deficit on the way to a 121-117 NBA victory over the Toronto Raptors. Harden scored 16 points in the fourth quarter and overtime as the Clippers pushed their wining steak to five games despite the absence of star Kawhi Leonard with a sprained right ankle. The Clippers trailed by 11 entering the fourth quarter, but Harden drilled a pair of free-throws with 1:24 left in regulation to tie it and after misses from both teams, they went to
Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg on Wednesday was ruled out for the second half of their 118-109 loss to the Denver Nuggets after the No. 1 pick sprained his left ankle in the first half. Flagg was called for a foul while defending against Peyton Watson and turned the ankle as he fell to the floor with 6 minutes, 1 second left in the second quarter. Flagg limped to the bench and continued to the locker room, but returned for the final 2 minutes, 35 seconds before the break. The 19-year-old did not come out for the second half before the announcement that
Yassine Bounou on Wednesday saved two penalties, while Youssef en-Nesyri netted the decisive spot-kick as hosts Morocco secured a 4-2 shoot-out victory over Nigeria following a 0-0 draw in a tense Africa Cup of Nations semi-final in Rabat. Morocco, seeking their first continental title in 50 years, are to face 2021 winners Senegal in Sunday’s decider in Rabat, while Nigeria take on Egypt in the third-place playoff tomorrow. The 120 minutes before the shoot-out had few clear-cut chances for either side, but it was Morocco who created more opportunities, although they were denied by some fine saves from Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali. Nigeria
RSS