Sunday, 15 August, 2004, 16:13 GMT 17:13 UK
Iran's Arash Miresmaeili has been eliminated after failing to make the correct weight at the Athens Olympics. But there is confusion over the affair, following the judo star's reported threat to walk out in protest when he was drawn against an Israeli opponent. Iran has a strict policy of sanctions against Israel and forbids any contact with Israeli citizens. Iran's President Mohammad Khatami has said Miresmaeili's act will be recorded among the nation's glories.
"Our overweight contestant never even got onto the mat before being disqualified! All to Iran's greater glory! Give that man another platter of kebabs."
| Didn't think he could take the Zionist infidel, huh? |
The International Judo Federation (IJF) said: "We're very surprised an elite player could not make his weight." It added: "At the moment we have someone who is representing his country and did not make the weight. We have to know more about it."
| I'm thinkin' he likes pie. What do you think? |
Controversy
The IJF's executive committee met on Sunday to discuss the case, but a spokesman said that no decision had been reached. More talks are expected on Monday. Miresmaeili, the world champion in the under-66kg division who carried Iran's flag at Friday's opening ceremony, had been drawn to face Israeli's Ehud Vaks in the first round. After the draw, he was quoted in Iran as saying that he had refused to face his Israeli rival in sympathy with the oppressed Palestinian people.
Isn't there some way to make it so that all of these bigoted anti-Semitic countries have to face Israel in their first rounds of competition? It sure would weed out a lot of these scumbags and save a whole bunch of expensive airtime. This sort of intolerance needss to be shown the door at light speed. Why should an international venue serve the ends of violent bigots? Isn't the UN enough already?
| If he'd thought he could beat the Zionist infidel he'da been eager for the match, a victory to be dedicated to the struggling Paleostinians. Instead he went for a Muslim-style "victory." |
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