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.

The International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) archaic approach to limiting athletes’ rights to freedom of expression is another sign of an outdated sport system that continues to suppress athletes’ fundamental rights. The competitors are humans first, athletes second.

Today the International Olympic Committee (IOC) refused to act against Iran in response to the execution of Iranian Wrestler Navid Afkari. Navid was tortured and murdered for peacefully protesting. He was targeted by the regime because of his high-profile as an athlete.

We call on athlete solidarity to demand that the International Olympic Committee and the United World Wrestling immediately implement sanctions that expel Iran from world sport for this heinous execution.

Calling on Athletes, Athlete Groups and Sport Leaders to Speak Up in Support of Iranian Wrestler Navid Afkari. Wrestling Athlete Navid Afkari was to be executed on 9 September 2020 for peacefully and publicly protesting the Iranian regime. However, Navid is believed to still be alive in a high security prison. All communication from him has ceased, and his parents have lodged a formal request for him to be medically examined for evidence of torture.

Wrestling Athlete Navid Afkari to be Executed on 9 September 2020 for a Peaceful Public Protest Against the Iranian Regime. Global Athlete demands that the head of Iranian Judiciary and the Iranian Supreme Leader immediately halt plans for the execution of wrestling athlete Navid Afkari scheduled for Wednesday 9 September 2020.

Global Athlete calls for the International Olympic Committee and International Paralympic Committee to immediately abolish Olympic Charter Rule 50