What an amazing and ironic sight: the Israeli flag flanked by Germany and Iran at the World Masters Weightlifting Championship in Poland last month. Even more amazing and ironic was the sight of the three athletes together on the podium.
The Iranian silver-medalist declined the proffered hand of the Israeli gold with a dismissive wave, and wore "unnofficial" dress to lessen the perceived insult to his country's infamous pride. Even the announcer helped him by refraining from announcing the gold medalist's country - making Israel the *only* country not to be mentioned! But it was not enough for Iran.
It must be said to his credit that he remained respectfully standing for the Israeli national anthem - although his head hung conspicuously and he fled the podium immediately it was over.
Given the culture of pride and hate he comes from, it must've been a gruelling experience. And apparently it has cost him his career.
Sad. See the video for yourself here:
3 comments:
You describe the Iranian athlete's dilemma well, and I can see that it must've been complicated on so many levels. But what state other than Israel would tolerate being treated that way in public? And if you look closely at the Israeli flag, it almost looks as though someone tried to rip one en off before the flags were raised.
Is that a tallis he's wearing ;-)
That photo of the three flags is so ironical - amazing
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