Iran's javelin gold at Paris Paralympics snatched away over display of religious flag
Iranian para athlete Beit Sayyah, who clinched a gold medal and set a new Paralympic record in the men's javelin throw F41 class at the Paris Paralympics 2024, has been disqualified in a controversial move.
In a decision that came as a shocker to many, Sayyah had his medal snatched away for displaying a religious flag during his victory celebration on Saturday.
🇮🇷🥇Beit Sayah's gold in men's javelin throw F41 at the Paris Paralympics has been snatched away for displaying a religious flag (with name of Hazrat Ummal Baneen) as part of celebrations.#Paralympic2024 pic.twitter.com/EiQdmIkeNv
— Press TV at Paris Paralympics (@presstvsports) September 7, 2024
Beit Sayyah secured the medal with a throw of 47.64 meters, shattering the Paralympic record in a phenomenal feat.
However, the Paralympic organizers said he was "disqualified" for pulling out a flag bearing the name of Ummal Baneen (SA), the mother of Hazrat Abal Fazal Abbas (AS), leading to his medal being awarded to India's Navdeep Singh, who had initially won silver.
Beit Sayah's flag celebrations at Tokyo 2020 Paralympics - no fuss, no action
— Press TV at Paris Paralympics (@presstvsports) September 7, 2024
Beit Sayah's flag celebrations at Paris 2024 Paralympics - gold snatched away@PressTV - #Paralympic2024 pic.twitter.com/MUfd43ts4D
The official website of the Paris Paralympics said the Iranian para athlete was found guilty for “a breach of rules pertaining to unsporting or improper conduct.”
World Para Athletics Rules and Regulations call for “maintaining the highest standards of integrity, ethics, and conduct in the sport of Para athletics.”
Some news outlets reported that the Iranian athlete had displayed “an objectionable flag.”
However, sports analysts assert that the action was not warranted and amounts to politicization of the Olympic Games at the behest of French authorities who are hosting the marquee sports competition this year.
It is noteworthy that Sayyah had displayed a similar flag at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games as well, where he won a silver medal, without facing any action.
Iranian contingent at the Paris Paralympics submitted their strong objection to the decision, which was turned down twice, according to media reports.
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