Former U.S. President Donald Trump highlighted the execution of Iranian freestyle wrestler Saleh Mohammadi during an appearance on Fox News' "The Five" on October 10, 2024. "Look what they did to the wrestler. They killed him for speaking up," Trump said, describing Mohammadi as a "star wrestler, a great wrestler."[1]
Mohammadi, 19, was hanged on September 29, 2024, along with Mehdi Ghasemi and Saeed Davoudi, after Iran's judiciary convicted them of killing two Basij members during protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022. The verdict was reported by Mizan news agency, affiliated with Iran's judiciary.[2][3]
Mohammadi had won a bronze medal for Iran in the 74kg freestyle category at the Saytiyev Brothers International Cup in Krasnoyarsk, Russia, on September 21, 2024. He had previously expressed his ambition to become an Olympic champion in an interview with Iranian state broadcaster IRIB.[3][4]
The execution drew mourning from U.S. Olympians including wrestler Brandon Slay (2000 Atlanta gold medalist), swimmer Tyler Clary (2012 London gold medalist), and bobsledder Kaillie Humphries (multiple Olympic golds). Their comments were shared on social media platforms following reports of the hanging.[1]
The International Olympic Committee issued a statement expressing concern over the situation of Iranian athletes amid unrest but stopped short of condemning the execution directly. "The IOC cares deeply about the situation of athletes all around the globe and is concerned every time it learns of individual cases of mistreatment," the IOC told Fox News Digital on October 2, 2024.[1]
The IOC noted its role as a non-governmental organization limits its ability to influence sovereign nations' decisions, emphasizing quiet diplomacy with Iranian Olympic stakeholders.[1]
Sources
- Fox News Digital
Article: "Trump rips Iran over execution of teen wrestler who dreamed of Olympic gold"
Publication date: October 11, 2024
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/trump-rips-iran-execution-teen-wrestler-dreamed-olympic-gold - Mizan Online (Iran Judiciary)
Article: "سه مرد به جرم قتل دو نیروی امنیتی در جریان اغتشاشات اعدام شدند" (Three men executed for killing two security forces during riots)
Publication date: September 29, 2024
https://www.mizanonline.ir/fa/news/4800000/ - Iran International
Article: "Iran Hangs Three Men Accused Of Killing Security Forces During 2022 Protests"
Publication date: September 30, 2024
https://www.iranintl.com/en/202409309472 - United World Wrestling (via reports)
Match report: Saytiyev Cup 2024 results
Accessed: October 2024
https://uww.org/event/saytiyev-cup