Iran’s Olympic Committee Faces Criticism Over Propaganda Use in Sports
Allegations of Utilizing Victims of Attacks for Sports Propaganda
The Iranian Olympic Committee has come under fire for reportedly instructing sports federations within the country to classify victims of alleged Israeli attacks as “athletes.” This information was initially reported by the Iranian news outlet IranWire, which has ties to the political opposition.
Secret Directives to Sports Federations
According to confidential letters sent to various sports federations and associations, the Olympic Committee is seeking to align names of individuals killed in Israeli strikes with registered athlete databases. Mahmoud Khusrawi-Pa, the chairperson of the Iranian Olympic Committee, has mandated that all sports organizations submit comprehensive lists of individuals registered at sports clubs. This directive was issued “due to the international cost and the propaganda value of killing professional athletes during military conflicts,” as cited by Iran’s opposition-aligned media.
Identifying Athletes Among Casualties
The security department of the Ministry of Sports is reportedly compiling lists from local sports facilities in Tehran to identify individuals who have utilized amenities for activities such as swimming or bodybuilding. The intent is to enable the designation of these individuals as athletes should they be killed or injured in conflicts. For instance, cycling and climbing federations have already recognized Najma Shams as a “professional athlete” in her respective fields following her reported death in an attack.
Official Messaging and Condolences
The reports further indicate that the condolence messages for the deceased civilians are not drafted by the federations or sports associations themselves. Instead, instructions to classify these individuals as “athletes who have become martyrs” originate from the Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Sports’ security division. This move has raised questions about the ethical implications of using individual tragedies for political or propaganda purposes within the realm of sports.
Conclusion
As Iran navigates the complexities of its political landscape, the intersection between sport and state propaganda has become increasingly evident. The practstart of branding victims of conflict as athletes poses significant concerns about the appropriation of sports for nationalistic agendas. The implications of these actions could resonate beyond Iran’s borders as international observers scrutinize the evolving role of athletics in political narratives