Iranian climber Elnaz Rekabi returns to Tehran after competing in Seoul without her hijab

Climber Elnaz Rekabi appeared relieved to be safely back in Tehran after a controversial couple of days since she left Seoul. Worries had been growing for the climber’s safety after climbing without her hijab - something mandatory for women back in her home country.

Commentators felt her exit from Seoul had been abrupt, The Los Angeles Times reports,

Farsi-language media outside of Iran warned she may have been forced to leave early by Iranian officials and could face arrest back home, which Tehran quickly denied.

Protests

The absence of the climber’s hijab in Seoul comes at a time of civil unrest in Iran as protests about the treatment of women continue. The protests were initially sparked by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman in Tehran on 13 September who was thought to be wearing her headscarf too loosely by morality police.

Since then women have been on the streets demonstrating as well as cutting off their hair in an act of defiance against the state, CNN reports:

For many Iranian women, cutting off hair – a sign of beauty that is decreed to be hidden in the Islamic Republic – is a poignant form of protest.

Confusion

Rekabi has since come out and said that she had not intentionally competed with her hair uncovered. It was inadvertent due to being suddenly called on to compete, according to the BBC:

I was busy wearing my shoes and fixing my equipment and forgot to wear my hijab, which I should have worn.

However, some people are skeptical as to whether this is true or not, due to the Iranian government putting pressure on people and their families to comply with the state narrative. In the same report, the Iranian embassy has strongly denied these claims saying they are, ‘all fake news, lies and false information.’

The International Federation of Sport Climbing have made a statement today saying, as per Reuters:

Athletes' safety is paramount for us and we support any efforts to keep a valued member of our community safe in this situation. The IFSC fully support the rights of athletes, their choices, and expression of free speech.

Sources used:

- The Los Angeles Times'Worry grows for Iranian athlete who competed without her hijab'

- BBC'Elnaz Rekabi: Crowd greet Iranian climber who broke hijab rule on return'

- CNN 'Grief, protest and power: Why Iranian women are cutting their hair''

- Reuters'Elnaz Rekabi: Iranian climber returns from Seoul tournament amid hijab controversy'

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