٠٠:٠٣:٥٠No access Israeli media/Persian language TV stations outside Iran/strictly no access BBC Persian/VOA Persian/Manoto TV/Iran International TV
Athletes who refused to compete with Israelis counterparts during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics were rewarded during a ceremony in Tehran on Saturday.
The event was attended by Olympic and Paralympic athletes, the heads of various sports organisations, as well as the deputy head of the Basij paramilitary organisation.
Major General Seyed Ghasem Ghoreishi, Deputy Head of Basij, accused Israel of wanting to 'legitimise its existence' and 'distract people from the crimes it commits' by participating in sports tournaments.
"Many are trying to, please forgive me [for saying this], take away our honour and leave us with humiliation," said Youth and Sports minister Hamid Sajjadi.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei urged Iranian athletes not to compete with Israelis during the 2020 Olympics, leading several competitors to forego matches.
Iranian sportspeople who have followed the government's long-standing orders to avoid competing with Israelis have been disciplined by several sporting bodies over the practice.
The award ceremony was criticised by members of human rights organisation 'United for Navid,' who called for the International Olympic Committee to levy sanctions on the country.
Iran: Govt rewards athletes for not competing with Israelis at Tokyo Games
Athletes who refused to compete with Israelis counterparts during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics were rewarded during a ceremony in Tehran on Saturday.
The event was attended by Olympic and Paralympic athletes, the heads of various sports organisations, as well as the deputy head of the Basij paramilitary organisation.
Major General Seyed Ghasem Ghoreishi, Deputy Head of Basij, accused Israel of wanting to 'legitimise its existence' and 'distract people from the crimes it commits' by participating in sports tournaments.
"Many are trying to, please forgive me [for saying this], take away our honour and leave us with humiliation," said Youth and Sports minister Hamid Sajjadi.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei urged Iranian athletes not to compete with Israelis during the 2020 Olympics, leading several competitors to forego matches.
Iranian sportspeople who have followed the government's long-standing orders to avoid competing with Israelis have been disciplined by several sporting bodies over the practice.
The award ceremony was criticised by members of human rights organisation 'United for Navid,' who called for the International Olympic Committee to levy sanctions on the country.
No access Israeli media/Persian language TV stations outside Iran/strictly no access BBC Persian/VOA Persian/Manoto TV/Iran International TV
Athletes who refused to compete with Israelis counterparts during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics were rewarded during a ceremony in Tehran on Saturday.
The event was attended by Olympic and Paralympic athletes, the heads of various sports organisations, as well as the deputy head of the Basij paramilitary organisation.
Major General Seyed Ghasem Ghoreishi, Deputy Head of Basij, accused Israel of wanting to 'legitimise its existence' and 'distract people from the crimes it commits' by participating in sports tournaments.
"Many are trying to, please forgive me [for saying this], take away our honour and leave us with humiliation," said Youth and Sports minister Hamid Sajjadi.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei urged Iranian athletes not to compete with Israelis during the 2020 Olympics, leading several competitors to forego matches.
Iranian sportspeople who have followed the government's long-standing orders to avoid competing with Israelis have been disciplined by several sporting bodies over the practice.
The award ceremony was criticised by members of human rights organisation 'United for Navid,' who called for the International Olympic Committee to levy sanctions on the country.