IOC Chief Meets Iranian President at UN Assembly

(ATR) The Iranian president tells Thomas Bach he wants to give women equal access to sport in the country.

At a meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, Hassan Rohani and the IOC chief spoke about the advances in women’s sport in the nation, previously marginalized under prior administrations.

Earlier this year, the Iranian government eased strict rules banning women from attending men’s sporting events, including football and basketball competitions. In February, scores of women attended the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 men’s Asian qualifier between Iran and Iraq.

Rohani confirmed again his campaign policy to give women equal access to sport in the country. "Fortunately, in the last five years, Iranian women have had a strong presence in various fields and have had an important role in politics and management positions," he was quoted by the MEHR news agency.

Bach praised the progress and Iran’s initiative to select a female flag-bearer for its Asian Games team competing in Jakarta and Palembang last month. He told Rohani the IOC was looking forward to further developments in women’s sport.

In the meeting, also attended by IOC director general Christophe De Kepper, Bach offered his condolences to the victims of Saturday's terrorist attack on a military parade in the southwestern city of Ahvaz that killed at least 25 people and injured dozens more.

The two leaders discussed the development of sport in the country and the team’s recent success at the Asian Games where Iran won 62 medals. They agreed it gave a positive outlook for the team’s participation at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

In reference to Iran'sfailure to recognize Israel and policy forbidding the country's athletes competing against Israelis, Bach andRohani also talked about "the principles of the political neutrality of the IOC and of non-discrimination in the Olympic Movement and among NOCs", a spokesman tells Around the Rings.

Repeated incidents of Iranian athletes pulling out of international events to avoid competing against Israeli opponents in recent months and years have heightened IOC concerns. They are among a series of cases of discrimination that have prompted the IOC to take action.

Earlier this year, the IOC said it was taking a tougher stance on discrimination issues over major concerns they are impacting numerous international sporting events. The IOC’s ruling body has discussed the rise of nationalism in global sport and claims to have a "zero tolerance" policy on countries discriminating against others.

Rouhani is speaking Tuesday at the 73rd UN General Assembly, while Bach will meet other state leaders today and Wednesday.

Earlier this month, Bach welcomed Iranian NOC president Syed Reza Salehi Amiri to IOC headquarters in Lausanne. The pair discussed the importance of increasing women’s participation in sports, inspiring the younger generation and Olympic education projects.

Reported by Mark Bisson

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