Whirlwind around the Iranian judoka Saeid Mollaei. He has not returned to his homeland after he claims to have refused an order to leave the competition at the World Cup in Tokyo. "I'm afraid of what might happen to my family and me," the 27-year-old said in an interview published by the World Federation IJF.
The defending champion, according to IJF, was instructed by Iranian Deputy Sports Minister Davar Zani to retire from the World Cup after his victory in the third round. Because in the case of the finals Mollaei would have to compete against the Israeli Sagi Muki - this should be prevented at all costs.
Mollai fears repression
Since Mollaei nevertheless competed against the Russian Khasan Khalmurzaev and the semi-final against the Belgian Matthias Casse, the ex-world champion fears repression, according to his own words, "even if those responsible have said that I can easily return." Mollaei, the Casse defeated in the semifinals and it was not a duel with Muki, according to media reports should stay with a German visa in Berlin.
"After hearing about the case, the IOC has requested a full report from the IJF and on the basis of this report we will assess the situation in more detail," the IOC Press Department told the SID on request.
Escape refugee team
Curious: Only in May, the National Olympic Committee of Iran announced that it would fully respect the Olympic Charter and its prohibition of discrimination. There would be nothing in the way of competition between Iranian and Israeli athletes in the future. The NOK of Iran has not responded to SPIEGEL's request so far.
For several decades, Iranian athletes have not opposed Israeli counterparts because Iran does not recognize Israel as a state.
At the 2020 Olympics, Mollaei could now come under a different flag: IJF President Marius Vizer had offered him support so that he can start at the Olympics, said Mollaei, "so that my dream will come true and I can become Olympic champion". It would be conceivable that he participated as a member of a refugee team. This solution had Vizer in an interview with the Japanese newspaper "Asahi" brought into conversation.
