Fear for Elnaz Rekabi

The speed at which we rush through our lives means that we always, quite sensibly, orient ourselves forward. Of course, the memories must not fade. That's why it's important to me to come back to September 12, 2020. At that time, the successful Iranian wrestler Navid Akari was hanged for allegedly killing a security officer during a protest. Guilt and trial are controversial. The confession is said to have been obtained under torture. His fate was placed in the hands of the family of the man he allegedly killed. The required punishment, death by hanging, was carried out in a notorious prison in a cloak and dagger operation. There was a brief outcry. Not more. The sport was watching. There were no bans, sanctions or restrictions on Iranian institutions. All the major organizations (IOC or FIFA) kept a low profile at the time or only expressed caution in order not to anger the unjust state of Iran and its mullah regime. They didn't fight for Akari. They let him down. At the World Cup in Qatar, Iran will play in Group B against Wales, England and the USA from November this year. As if the current protests in Iran didn't exist. But isn't anyone who stands by and does nothing while people are locked up for baseless reasons and presumably enslaved in prisons under inhumane conditions not also committing a criminal offence, at least morally? Who doesn't do anything about it so as not to selfishly endanger his own projects and interests? In the case of the military attack by Russia against Ukraine with the support of Belarus, teams and athletes were at least banned from starting and will hopefully continue to do so, especially since Putin's missiles have long been aimed at the civilian population of Ukraine. The protests continue unabated Now we have to be afraid for an athlete again. This time it is the climber Elnaz Rekabi, who competed without a headscarf at the Asian Championships, where she took fourth place. Again, a reminder: The protests in Iran followed the death of Mahsa Amini, who was arrested for allegedly not wearing her headscarf properly. There are no limits to arbitrariness. The causes of her death are obscure. The assumption that she died after being mistreated still drives thousands of courageous Iranians, especially Iranian women, onto the streets. The regime is cracking down on the demonstrators with the utmost severity, as the news parlance puts it so trivially. Meanwhile, as always, scholars argue about the meaning of the headscarf. However, the idea that it is more than just a piece of clothing and a religious symbol is becoming increasingly clear. In Iran it is a sign of the oppression of women in an archaic and patriarchal world, in which the leading mullahs build a world according to their ideas in order to be able to pursue their lucrative business as undisturbed as possible. Questionable excuse Elnaz Rekabi is also seriously, perhaps even in mortal danger, because she is now seen as a role model and heroine. Someone who stands up courageously against the regime. Her flight back to Iran was brought forward after the competition. She shyly apologized after landing and pointed out that it was merely an oversight that she completed her competition without a headscarf. The impression that this statement was forced cannot be dismissed. Renowned and well-connected BBC reporter Rana Ratimpour expressed concern that Rekabi would be taken straight to the notorious Evis prison. Her passport and cell phone were confiscated from her in Seoul. The International Climbing Federation (IFSC) and the IOC got involved. The future will show to what extent one can believe the Iranians' assurances that Rekabi can continue to train and also take part in competitions. In any case, she is not on the start list for the World Cup in Morioka this Friday and Saturday. The worries are great. We have to stay careful. Very mindful. We've all failed at Navid Akari. About the person: Sigi Heinrich The renowned sports journalist, author and award-winning Eurosport commentator (including winner of the German Television Prize and the Bavarian Sports Prize) not only dedicates his column “Sigi's Spitze” to the entire diversity of sport. He also deals with topics outside of his usual profession. Sometimes very seriously, often with a mischievous wink and sometimes deliberately provocative. There should be something for everyone.

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Fear for Elnaz Rekabi

The Iranian climber Elnaz Rekabi, who competed at the Asian Championships without the headscarf required by the mullahs, is seen as a hero in her homeland. Our columnist Sigi Heinrich sees her life threatened because of this.

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