A coalition of athletes, including several Olympians, has united to oppose Iran’s execution of its star athletes. This call to action comes as Iranian boxing champion Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani faces imminent execution. Sani, a boxing champion and coach, was arrested by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in March 2020 after participating in the November 2019 protests against a sudden gas price hike. Charged with ‘corruption on earth,’ a capital offense in Iran, he now awaits execution.
Global Call for Intervention
The letter, signed by prominent figures such as women’s tennis legend Martina Navratilova and British swimming gold medalist Sharron Davies, urges world governing bodies and sports organizations to intervene. The athletes call on the United Nations, international sports federations, and governments to act swiftly to save the lives of Iranian dissidents, including athletes. They emphasize that the world must not remain passive while Iran silences its champions.
The letter also highlights past executions of Iranian athletes, including 19-year-old champion wrestler Saleh Mohammadi, whose execution in March sparked international outrage. The document details a series of executions since mid-March, marking one of Iran’s most severe crackdowns in decades. Dozens of political dissidents have been executed following unfair trials and coerced confessions. Among the victims were protesters arrested during the January 2026 uprising, including national wrestling champion Saleh Mohammadi and karate champion Sasan Azadvar Joonaghan.
A Grim History
Iran’s history of executing athletes for their beliefs is also noted, with references to Habib Khabiri, the captain of Iran’s national football team, executed for his political affiliations, and Forouzan Abdi, the captain of Iran’s national women’s volleyball team, executed during the 1988 massacre. In 2020, Iranian wrestling champion Navid Afkari was executed after participating in peaceful protests in 2018.
The letter has been signed by 24 athletes, including nine Olympians and five Iranians, who stand in solidarity with the victims and call for justice.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
