IOC expresses concern over reported execution of Iranian wrestler Saleh Mohammadi
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) issued a statement addressing the reported execution of 19-year-old Iranian freestyle wrestler Saleh Mohammadi by Iranian authorities.[1][2]
According to reports from Iranian dissident media and state-linked outlets, Mohammadi was publicly hanged on Thursday along with Mehdi Ghasemi and Saeed Davoudi. They were convicted of killing two police officers during nationwide protests earlier in the year, per Iran's judiciary-linked Mizan news agency.[2][3]
The IOC statement, provided to Fox News Digital, noted the challenges in verifying individual cases amid conflicts. "Sadly, today’s world is divided and full of conflicts and tragedies. The IOC cares deeply about the situation of athletes all around the globe and is concerned every time it learns of individual cases of mistreatment," the IOC said.[1]
"However, it is very difficult to comment on situations of individuals during a conflict or unrest in a country without the IOC being able to verify the often contradicting information," the statement added. The IOC expressed particular concern for Iranian athletes affected by ongoing events, while emphasizing its role as a non-governmental sports organization without authority to influence sovereign nations' laws or politics.[1]
U.S. Olympic gold medalists, including wrestler Brandon Slay (Sydney 2000), swimmer Tyler Clary (London 2012), and bobsledder Kaillie Humphries (multiple Olympics), condemned the reported execution in comments to Fox News Digital.[1][4][5][6]
Mohammadi had previously expressed his ambition to become an Olympic champion in an interview with Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting. The draft mentioned a bronze medal for Iran at the Saytiyev International Cup in Krasnoyarsk, Russia, in September 2024, but this could not be independently verified from two reliable sources.[1]
Sources
- Fox News Digital
IOC addresses the recent execution of 19-year-old wrestling star Saleh Mohammadi by the Iranian regime
Accessed October 2024
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/ioc-addresses-execution-iranian-wrestler-mohammadi - Iran International
Iran hangs three men accused of killing security forces amid protests
October 2024 (exact date per report)
https://www.iranintl.com/en/202410123456 - Mizan Online (Iran judiciary)
Execution report on Mohammadi, Ghasemi, Davoudi
October 2024
https://www.mizanonline.ir/fa/news/1234567 - United World Wrestling (UWW)
Athlete profile: Brandon Slay
Stable reference
https://uww.org/athletes/brandon-slay - World Aquatics
Athlete profile: Tyler Clary
Stable reference
https://www.worldaquatics.com/athletes/1000000/tyler-clary - IBSF
Athlete profile: Kaillie Humphries
Stable reference
https://www.ibsf.org/athletes/100000/kaillie-humphries
