Iranian sports climber Elnaz Rekabi, who was thought missing, has been shown arriving back in Tehran to cheering crowds.
There were growing concerns about Rekabi’s safety after she competed at the Asian Sport Climbing Championships in Seoul without a hijab.
Rekabi was praised by protestors back home for breaking Iran’s strict dress code, but her friends and family then lost contact with the athlete on Sunday.
The Iranian embassy in South Korea claimed that Rekabi was being flown back to Tehran, and she arrived back in the city early this morning.
What happened when Elnaz Rekabi arrived in Iran?
Rekabi, covering her hair with a baseball cap and hoodie, was met by her family at the airport. She was hugged and handed several bunches of flowers.
BBC World journalist Shayan Sardarizadeh shared photos of a sizeable crowd cheering Rebaki, with many chanting “Elnaz is a heroine” as she was driven past.
Iran’s state media later broadcast an interview with Rekabi, in which she repeated the explanation she had given in an Instagram post for competing without a hijab.
Video: Watch crowds cheer Elnaz Rekabi as she arrives in Iran
The crowd cheers as Elnaz Rekabi, a female climber who competed without a hijab in Seoul and was later censured and forced into an apology by Iranian authorities, arrives at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Airport in the early hours of the morning.#مهسا_امینیpic.twitter.com/KoiEOzhrGh — Shayan Sardarizadeh (@Shayan86) October 19, 2022
“I was suddenly and unexpectedly called on to compete while I was at the women’s locker room,” she said.
“I was busy wearing my shoes and fixing my equipment and forgot to wear my hijab, which I should have worn.
“Thank goodness, I’ve returned to Iran in good health and safe. And I apologise to the Iranian people for the confusion and concerns.”
The 33-year-old also denied reports that she had lost contact with her friends and family, and was forced to return to Iran earlier than planned.
“That didn’t happen,” Rebaki said. “We’ve returned to Iran exactly as planned”.
Video: Watch Elnaz Rebaki compete without a hijab at the Asian Sports Climbing Championships
In a historic move, Iranian athlete Elnaz Rekabi who represented Iran at the Asian Climbing Competitions finals in Seoul, competed without hijab, disobeying the Islamic Republic’s restrictions for female athletes. pic.twitter.com/KvxE5NoQLi — Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) October 16, 2022
Why was it significant that Elnaz Rekabi competed without a hijab?
The death of Masha Amini last month has caused widespread anti-government protests led by women in Iran.
The 22-year-old Amini was arrested by morality police for allegedly wearing her headscarf too loosely.
She died in custody after falling into a coma, with reports claiming she had suffered a cerebral haemorrhage and stroke after the police had brutally beaten her.
Female athletes must abide by the rules requiring Iranian women to cover their hair with a headscarf, even when competing abroad.
Rekabi subsequently became a new symbol of the protests when a video of her competing without a hijab went viral.
There are now serious concerns for her safety, however, with the BBC claiming that she might be taken to prison on arrival.
BERLIN, GERMANY – OCTOBER 15: A protester holds a banner with the image of Mahsa Amini as demonstrators gather in front of the Brandenburg Gate to march in solidarity with protesters in Iran on October 15, 2022 in Berlin, Germany. Nationwide protests in Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini in mid-September are ongoing, with over 200 people killed in clashes with police so far. (Photo by Omer Messinger/Getty Images)
Who is Elnaz Rebaki?
Rebaki finished fourth at this year’s Asian Championships, but she has previously earned one silver and two bronze medals at the competition.
She also clinched a bronze medal in the combined event at the 2021 IFSC Climbing World Championships.
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‘Missing’ sports climber shown arriving in Iran to cheering crowds
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