Iranian cyclist Mohammad Ganjhanoun disappeared at the end of the World Cycling Championships, held last two weeks in Glasgow, Scotland. The 26-year-old rider finished 66th in the men's race against the clock on Saturday (August 12), which was the penultimate day of the competition. The president of the cycling federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Rasul Assadi, stated that Ganjahnoun left his hotel on Saturday night and has not yet returned to the delegation.
"The investigation is ongoing and I hope he will be found as soon as possible," Assadi said, as reported by the Tehran Times, with members of the team suggesting he may have been granted asylum in Britain. Genjhanoun's disappearance comes at a time of civil unrest and protests across Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini, 22, while in morality police custody on September 16 for wearing her hijab "improperly."
Mohammad Ganjkhanlou, Iranian cyclist, is the latest sportsman who has applied for asylum in a Western country, in his case, England, once again showcasing the Islamic establishment's increasing pressure on the athletes pic.twitter.com/cOjWXgUn9d
— Maryam Moqaddam مریم مقدم (@MaryamMoqaddam) August 14, 2023
Human rights groups estimate that at least 481 people were killed in subsequent incidents, including 32 minors, prompting several Iranian athletes to leave the country and seek asylum after sporting events. Ganjhnun is a talented track and road rider. He won bronze in the road race at last year's Islamic Solidarity Games before winning gold at the Asian Track Equestrian Championships last June.
La delegazione iraniana a #GlasgowScotland2023 è in ansia: Mohammad Ganjkhanlou è scomparso. Le ricerche sono in corso. https://t.co/AYzsT4oll8 pic.twitter.com/869veOM8J1
— tuttoBICI (@tuttobiciweb_it) August 14, 2023
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