Iran's judiciary executed 19-year-old wrestler Saleh Mohammadi along with Mehdi Ghasemi and Saeed Davoudi on Thursday, after convicting them of killing two police officers during nationwide protests earlier in the year, according to the judiciary-linked Mizan news agency and Iran International.[1][2]
The executions, reportedly carried out by public hanging, were confirmed by Iranian American human rights activists and dissidents.
Several U.S. Olympians expressed grief and condemnation in statements to Fox News Digital. Brandon Slay, gold medalist in the men's 76-kg Greco-Roman wrestling at the 2000 Sydney Olympics,[3] said he had witnessed the dignity of Iranian people through wrestling exchanges and offered prayers for Mohammadi's family.
Tyler Clary, gold medalist in the men's 200-meter backstroke at the 2012 London Olympics,[4] described the execution as a reminder of the regime's nature following a sham process.
Katie Uhlaender, U.S. skeleton athlete who competed at multiple Olympics including Beijing 2022,[5] said her heart breaks for the athlete and family, noting failures to act on urgent calls despite sport's role in diplomacy.
Former Iranian wrestler Sardar Pashaei also reacted, stating Iranian sport is controlled by Revolutionary Guards forces and calling for action to save others at risk.
Wrestling is a national sport in Iran, which has won numerous Olympic medals in freestyle and Greco-Roman disciplines.[6]
Sources
- Mizan News Agency, Homepage, Accessed October 2024, https://www.mizanonline.ir/
- Iran International, Homepage, Accessed October 2024, https://www.iranintl.com/en
- Wikipedia, Brandon Slay, Accessed October 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brandon_Slay
- Wikipedia, Tyler Clary, Accessed October 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyler_Clary
- Wikipedia, Katie Uhlaender, Accessed October 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katie_Uhlaender
- Wikipedia, Iran at the Olympics, Accessed October 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran_at_the_Olympics
