Athlete Groups Welcome the International Judo Federation’s Decision to Suspend the Iran Judo Federation and Call on the International Olympic Committee to Investigate Athlete Abuse in Iran

30 April 2021: Global Athlete and the United For Navid Campaign welcome the decision of the International Judo Federation (IJF) to ban the Iran Judo Federation for a four-year period. This sanction is a result of Iranian Athletes being forced into a scheme to withdraw or throw matches to prevent them from competing against Israeli athletes. 

“In terms of this decision, the IJF has clearly displayed their commitment to fundamental human rights and the rights of their athletes. Discrimination has no place in sport and the International Judo Federation’s actions have backed this commitment,” said Rob Koehler, Global Athlete Director General.

These human rights violations are not limited to the sport of Judo. As a result, we once again call on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to immediately open an investigation into other human rights violations occurring in Iranian Sport. The United for Navid Campaign has provided evidence of abuse and the IOC has yet to act. 

Iranian Athlete and United for Navid Campaign member, Sardar Pashaei said, “We welcome the IJF’s decision to protect Iranian athletes. We have also sent letters to the International Olympic Committee outlining numerous cases of athlete abuse by Iranian Sport officials. Months have passed yet the IOC refuses to respond. As an Iranian Athlete, I know firsthand that there is a grave fear of retribution for those that come forward, a very real fear not just for individual safety but for the safety of their families. The IOC must act now.”

Silence equals complicity.

Lack of action equals continued athlete abuse.

Athletes are humans first and athletes second.

-ENDS-

Background:

United For Navid is a campaign created by a group of prominent Iranian athletes and human rights activists, after the execution of wrestler Navid Afkari, to call on international sporting bodies to act against Islamic Republic's violation of sporting rules and athletes' rights.

Global Athlete is an athlete movement aiming to inspire and drive change across the world of sport. We are a movement by athletes for athletes aiming to collectively address the disconnect that currently exists between athletes and sporting leaders, and for athletes to have their say about the way in which sport is run.