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Iran’s Saeid Mollaei says he fears for his family’s safety after blowing calls to pull out of the World Judo Championships in Japan.
Mollaei stated he had been advised to draw from his game against the Olympic winner of Russia Khasan Khalmurzaev to prevent the prospect of confronting the Sagi Muki of Israel.
Iranian athletes are banned from competing in any game against Israel.
“I could have been champion,” he said.
“I’ve been working hard.
“However, the National Olympic Committee of Iran and the Sport Minister told me to not compete, I needed to comply with the law.
“I am a fighter. I can, I would like to compete. I live. We have no choice; it must be complied with by all athletes.
“Even if the authorities of my country said that I can return without any issues, I’m afraid. I’m scared of what may happen for my family and to myself.”
Mollaei, who was finally knocked out in the semi-finals of their guys’s -81kg class by Belgium’s Matthias Casse, is currently in Germany and has abandoned the contest in Japan.
Muki later beat the gold medal to be won by Casse.
Before in 2019the National Olympic Committee of Iran had said it could comply with the Olympic charter and statutes of the International Judo Federation (IJF), paving the way for European athletes to compete against Israeli athletes.
Following the events of last week, IJF president Marius Vizer said Mollaei could possibly compete in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics of Iran.
“First of all we will do everything to support the athlete so he could continue his profession and take part in the Olympic Games,” Vizer told AFP.
“We can do our best that he will compete at the Olympic Games. Later we’ll see in which team – there are various alternatives, but one of them is going to be employed for the Olympics.”
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