RNA - Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei praised the Iranian athletes who safeguard the religious and moral values in the sports events, irrespective of the delusive wave that may prevail in the international arenas.
According to Tasnim news agency, Ayatollah Khamenei said in a gathering of officials involved in commemorating the Iranian athletes who have been martyred “The Iranian athletes who explicitly safeguard the values in the championship games do a valuable deed.”
The meeting had been held in Tehran on January 11, but the Leader’s comments were made public on Tuesday, at a gathering in Tehran’s Azadi Sports Complex.
As regards the admirable performance of the athletes, Ayatollah Khamenei pointed to those who loudly appeal to God for help or prostrate after winning a match.
“What is even worthier than standing on the championship stage or raising the country’s flag is an Iranian athlete’s refusal to wrestle with a Zionist opponent or a female athlete’s decision to attend the medal award ceremony while respecting the Islamic code of dressing and wearing hijab”, Ayatollah Khamenei underlined.
The Leader also pointed to the symbolic influence of young champions on people, noting that the athletes’ behavior, manners and lifestyle could affect the society and steer it towards religion and morality.
All female athletes representing the Islamic Republic attend the sports events with hijab. Moreover, Iranian medal-winners refuse to shake hands with the opposite sex, a move prohibited under Islamic teachings.
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