Islamic Republic of Iran at Paris 2024 Olympics: Everything you need to know

By Alireza Akbari

The stage is set for the Summer Olympics to begin in the French capital Paris on Friday with an official opening ceremony. The sporting extravaganza held every four years will run from July 26 to August 11 over 19 days.

In this year’s Olympics, a total of 10,500 athletes representing 206 countries are expected to compete in 32 disciplines at 35 events, including Paris, according to organizers.

A total of 329 gold medals would be up for grabs in 32 disciplines. According to reports, for the Paris Olympics, each medal will include a piece of original iron from the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris.

The Paris 2024 Olympics will feature 754 sessions, encompassing both competitions and ceremonies, across 32 sports. This includes four additional sports, enhancing the program.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC), which organizes the modern Olympic Games, accepted Paris 2024’s proposal to integrate four additional sports: breaking, sport climbing, skateboarding, and surfing, which are associated with young people, rewarding creativity and athletic performance.

Iran at the Paris 2024 Olympics

Among the participating countries is the Islamic Republic of Iran, which will be represented by 40 athletes at the marquee sporting event, including 29 men and 11 women, competing in 13 sports.

As in previous Olympic Games, wrestling, weightlifting, and taekwondo are expected to be Iran’s primary medal contenders. However, there are also hopes for strong performances in gymnastics, table tennis, and climbing, according to their respective federations.

Iran’s Olympic contingent has already arrived in Paris in batches, with the third group landing on Tuesday morning. The first batch departed on July 16 and the second batch on July 19.

Speaking to the Press TV website, sports journalist Hatam Shiralizadeh highlighted Iran’s medal prospects in wrestling, taekwondo, and weightlifting, predicting a potential gold medal in wrestling.

He noted that surprises and unexpected results are always possible at the biggest sporting spectacle that takes place every four years and marks the pinnacle of sporting excellence.

Reflecting on Iran’s performance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Shiralizadeh said Iran won three precious gold medals, finishing 27th overall with a total of three gold, two silver and two bronze medals.

He emphasized that the Olympic Games represent the peak of competition for any country, with nations striving for the best possible results through years of preparation.

Shiralizadeh said the Olympic success can inspire young and promising athletes in Iran, turning medalists into beacons of inspiration for youngsters.  

He also pointed to challenges faced by Iranian athletes in terms of lack of access to world-class equipment and state-of-the-art facilities due to sanctions imposed by the West.

Iran’s performance in 18 Olympic games

Davood Bagheri, former deputy head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Weightlifting Federation, analyzed Iran’s performance at previous editions of the marquee games and medal prospects at Paris 2024.

 “Iran has won a total of 76 medals in 18 Olympic Games—24 gold, 23 silver, and 29 bronze,” Bagheri told the Press TV website, emphasizing the importance of gold medals in improving the overall ranking.

He highlighted that wrestling and weightlifting have been Iran’s most successful sports in history, with wrestling contributing 47 medals and weightlifting 20 respectively.

Taekwondo has earned six medals, while shooting and karate have each secured one, he added.

Bagheri noted that wrestling and weightlifting resonate deeply with Iranian culture and spirit, contributing 11 and 9 gold medals, respectively, to Iran’s total Olympic medal tally.

He pointed out that these two sports account for over 80 percent of Iran’s total gold medals.

Reflecting on past successes, Bagheri recalled Iran’s best Olympic performance at the London 2012 Games, where the country achieved its highest ranking, 12th, by winning 13 medals—seven gold, five silver and one bronze.

London 2012 was the only Olympics where Iran won more than three gold medals.

To better the previous record, Bagheri outlined three critical steps: recognizing potential sports for medal success, implementing effective planning and strategies, and understanding the true essence of the Olympic Games.

Scientific approaches and investments

He stressed the need for scientific approaches and investment in key sports and underscored the unique atmosphere of the Olympics, which can impact athletes, particularly debutants.

Bagheri shared his experience from the Rio 2016 Olympics, where despite various challenges and lack of resources, Iran’s weightlifting team secured two gold medals and caught the imagination of the country.

“Strong support for teams and individuals is crucial for better results,” he emphasized.

Predicting Iran's performance at Paris 2024, Bagheri optimistically forecasted three gold, three silver, and four bronze medals, ending up between 20th and 27^th in the rankings.

He also identified some athletes expected to excel, including Amin Mirzadeh and Saeed Esmaeili in Greco-Roman wrestling, Hassan Yazdani and Amir Hossein Zare in freestyle wrestling.

In weightlifting, Bagheri anticipated two medals, possibly silver, and predicted one medal each in taekwondo, shooting, and fencing, likely silver or bronze.

He mentioned Mostafa Javadi and Ali Davoodi as potential weightlifting medalists, noting Javadi's debut and Davoodi’s experience facing strong competitors.

He highlighted the importance of physical, technical, and psychological preparation for athletes, emphasizing the need for a winning mindset and self-confidence as they head into the Olympics.

Iran at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics

The Islamic Republic of Iran bagged seven medals at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Shooter Javad Foroughi earned Iran’s first medal, securing gold in the men's 10-meter air pistol event.

Greco-Roman wrestler Mohammadreza Geraei added another gold to Iran's tally.

Sajad Ganjzadeh clinched gold in the men's karate kumite competition in the +75kg category.

In weightlifting, Ali Davoudi won a silver medal in the +109kg weight class, lifting a total of 441kg—200kg in the snatch and 241kg in the clean and jerk.

Freestyle wrestler Hassan Yazdani secured a silver in the 86kg weight class, narrowly losing to his arch-rival from US David Taylor with a score of 4-3 in the final.

Iran also earned two bronze medals. Greco-Roman wrestler Mohammadhadi Saravi triumphed in the 97kg category, defeating Finland’s Arvi Savolainen 9-2. Amirhossein Zare won bronze in the men's freestyle 125kg, overcoming China’s Deng Zhiwei 5-0

Iran participated in the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics with a total of 66 athletes—56 men and 10 women—competing in 17 sports.

It finished 27th in the overall medal standings at Tokyo, with three gold, two silver, and two bronze.

Iranian Athletes Competing at Paris 2024: Schedule and Match Dates:

• Mobina Fallah (Archery): First match on July 25
   
• Fatemeh Mojallal (Rowing Single): First match on July 27
   
• Ali Pakdaman, Mohammad Rahbari, Mohammad Fotoohi (Fencing Individual Sabre): Matches on July 27
   
• Mehdi Olfati (Gymnastics): Match on July 27
   
• Hanieh Rostamian (Shooting): Match date July 27
   
• Nima Alamiyan, Noshad Alamiyan, Neda Shahsavari (Table Tennis): Matches on July 27
   
• Fatemeh Amini (Shooting): First match on July 28
   
• Mahsa Javar, Zeynab Norouzi (Rowing): First match on July 28
   
• Mohammad Beyranvand (Shooting): First match on July 29
   
• Shermineh Chehel Amirani (Shooting): First match on July 29
   
• Samiyar Abdoli (Swimming): First match on July 30
   
• Farzad Baher (Fencing): First team match on July 31
   
• Farzaneh Fasihi (Sprint): First match on August 2
   
• Hassan Taftian (Sprint): First match on August 3
   
• Ali Labib (Cycling): First match on August 3
   
• Mehdi Mohsen Nejad (Greco-Roman Wrestling) (60kg), and Amin Mirzadeh (120kg): First match on August 5
   
• Amin Kaviani Nejad (Greco-Roman Wrestling) (60kg), and Mohammad Hadi Saravi (97kg): First match on August 6
   
• Reza Alipour (Speed Climbing): First match on August 6
   
• Mobina Nemartazeh (Taekwondo) (-49kg): First match on August 7
   
• Ali Agha Mirzaei (Kayak): First match on August 7
   
• Saeed Esmaeili (67kg) (Greco-Roman Wrestling), and Alireza Mohmadi (87kg): First match on August 7
   
• Nabi Rezaei (Canoe Sprint): First match on August 7
   
• Nahid Kiyani (Taekwondo) (-57kg): First match on August 8
   
• Hassan Yazdani (Freestyle Wrestling) (86kg): First match on August 8
   
• Mehran Barkhordari (Taekwondo) (-80kg): First match on August 9
   
• Younes Emami (74kg) and Amir Hossein Zare (125kg) (Freestyle Wrestling): First match on August 9
   
• Mostafa Javadi (Weightlifting) (89kg): First match on August 9
   
• Arian Salimi (Taekwondo) (+80kg): First match on August 10
   
• Rahman Amouzad (Freestyle Wrestling) (65kg): First match on August 10
   
• Amir Ali Azarpira (Freestyle Wrestler) (97kg): First match on August 10
   
• Ali Davoudi (Weightlifting): First match on August 10

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk