Hadi Tiranvalipour, a taekwondo champion forced to leave Iran and now a refugee in Italy, where he continues his sporting career, told his story to ANSA, expressing his support for the Iranian people in their struggle for freedom.
"Sport is a universal language through which we can seek and achieve peace; we can strive for peace for everyone. The people are always in my heart, and all of us athletes must give a voice to our people," Tiranvalipour said.
Born in Karaj, Tiranvalipour was forced to leave Iran several years ago. Now a refugee in Italy, he was welcomed in 2023 by the Italian Taekwondo Federation, thanks to which he was able to prepare for the Paris Olympics.
From afar, he is witnessing the tragedy of protests violently repressed and is issuing an appeal to the international community to come to the aid of the Iranian people.
Hadi's story: from Iran to the IOC Refugee Team
"Our goal is to change this regime and restore freedom to the Iranian people. Reza Pahlavi (son of the Shah deposed in 1979, ed.) could be the right person to change things. I agree with his return," Tiranvalipour told ANSA by phone.
For eight years, he was part of Iran's national team, winning several international competitions. After being forced to leave the country, he competed at the Paris 2024 Games as part of the IOC Refugee Team, bringing with him not only his technical skills but also a powerful and symbolic story.
At a time of great difficulty, his voice is once again being heard to raise global awareness of the tragedy unfolding in his homeland.
"Over the past four days, the internet has been completely shut down in Iran," he stressed.
"There are no technical issues; it is a political decision in a country where the rights of the Iranian people have been systematically violated for years. People have taken to the streets to protest against an unjust regime. The regime wants to prevent protest in the name of 'rights,'" he said.
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'Pahlavi is the right person to change things'
"I cannot contact my family; I know nothing about them. People are living in fear and total isolation. It is a dangerous situation; they want to silence our people. We want to change this regime and new leadership for the country. I would like to launch an appeal to the international community: we are only asking for freedom, it is our right. Reza Pahlavi, I repeat, is the right person to change things."
Since joining the federation's program, the athlete has trained regularly at the Giulio Onesti Olympic Preparation Center in Rome alongside the Italian national taekwondo team. A welcoming environment that allowed him to fulfill his Olympic dream.
As a graduate in Sports Science, Tiranvalipour thanked Italy: "I feel good here, where I have been welcomed. In taekwondo, I am preparing for the European Championships in April together with the Italian national team, and I am also aiming for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics."
Author: Vincenzo Piegari