The athlete who fled Iran: "I went through humiliation - I earned $ 90 on the team in three years" | Israel today

One week after weightlifting Parissa Jahneprian fled the country's rigid Islamic regime to start a new life in Germany, the Iranian was first interviewed and provided explanations for the move.

"We did not have any financial support from our federation and they did not let a sponsor be obtained," Jhepkrian told insidethegames from the new seat.

"I am looking for refugee status and hope to exchange citizenship and compete for Germany."

# Iran's two best female weightlifters have fled the country and will seek political asylum in #Germany.

Parisa Jahanfekrian says she is from the "repressed, forgotten part" of Iranian society - its womenhttps: //t.co/iKvtdHdM30 #WomenInSport #Weightlifting #ParisaJahanfekrian

- insidethegames (@insidethegames) May 16, 2022

"The lack of financial support, disrespect and discrimination against women made me decide to leave my country," she said.

"The men's team is paid monthly salaries, but in three years on the team they paid me $ 30 only three times."

"Really, that's all I was given, and that was just so the federation could tell the media that they paid the athletes. When I qualified for the Olympics I had to receive a grant from three organizations - the National Weightlifting Federation, the National Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Sports and Youth. Who said they would pay. "

"I had to work as a fitness trainer to make a living, and when we went to the national training camp I could not work so I had to live off my savings. The conditions we had to endure for training were terrible, with very poor facilities even in the national camps. We were banned from posting "And of course, Iranian weightlifters are not allowed to conduct interviews with foreign media."

As for discrimination, 27-year-old Jephthakrian added: "There is a lack of money and a lack of management. There is no weightlifting league for women, but there is for men. When we have media competitions they are not reported, the television does not show them, but they report the men."

Jahanqarian, who was supposed to be the first weightlifter from Iran to compete in last year's Olympics, but was forced to stay home due to injury.

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