An Iranian climber who competed without a hijab has been greeted with a hero’s welcome on her return to Tehran airport.
Elnaz Rekabi has been championed by crowds campaigning for women’s rights, after her appearance at the Asian Championships in South Korea, following the death in custody of Mahsa Amini.
Ms Rekabi wrote on Instagram that her headscarf had fallen off as she competed in the Championships. There are suggestions the message may have been written under duress.
She wrote on Instagram: “Due to bad timing, and the unanticipated call for me to climb the wall, my head covering inadvertently came off.”
She also expressed her apologies to “getting everybody worried”.
The 33-year-old flew in early on Wednesday after earlier concern for her condition with videos showing her hugging friends and family at the terminal.
She was met with flowers and chants of “Elnaz is a heroine” before she was led off to an unknown location.
Ms Rekabi has three times won medals at the Asian Championships and last year won a bronze medal in Moscow’s Climbing World Championships - previously always competing with a head scarf.
In the past, Iranian female athletes have also issued apologies for not wearing a headscarf in international competition or did not return to their country.
The International Federation of Sport Climbing said: "It is important to stress that athletes' safety is paramount for us and we support any efforts to keep a valued member of our community safe in this situation.”
