Today the International Olympic Committee (IOC) refused to act against Iran in response to the execution of Iranian Wrestler Navid Afkari. Navid was tortured and murdered for peacefully protesting. He was targeted by the regime because of his high-profile as an athlete.

We call on athlete solidarity to demand that the International Olympic Committee and the United World Wrestling immediately implement sanctions that expel Iran from world sport for this heinous execution.

Calling on Athletes, Athlete Groups and Sport Leaders to Speak Up in Support of Iranian Wrestler Navid Afkari. Wrestling Athlete Navid Afkari was to be executed on 9 September 2020 for peacefully and publicly protesting the Iranian regime. However, Navid is believed to still be alive in a high security prison. All communication from him has ceased, and his parents have lodged a formal request for him to be medically examined for evidence of torture.

Wrestling Athlete Navid Afkari to be Executed on 9 September 2020 for a Peaceful Public Protest Against the Iranian Regime. Global Athlete demands that the head of Iranian Judiciary and the Iranian Supreme Leader immediately halt plans for the execution of wrestling athlete Navid Afkari scheduled for Wednesday 9 September 2020.

We call on the IOC Athletes’ Commission to abandon the Consultation on Athlete Demonstrations and on the IOC and IPC to immediately rescind Rule 50.2.

Athlete groups demand that the International Paralympic Committee and the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation reinstate all Wheelchair Basketball Athletes who rightfully qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Games.

As a four time Olympian, I am encouraged to see a call to action by athletes to be valued and seen as humans. For years Olympic athletes have been used to fuel a multi-billion-dollar industry while most athletes can barely financially survive. In fact, athletes endure years of personal debt to represent their country. The lack of duty of care when it comes to financial stability and proper long-term health care provided by sporting organizations needs to be addressed and corrected. Athletes can no longer have their needs caste aside.

Independence, Transparency, Accountability and Human Rights Must Drive Change

Athletes can no longer accept that their demands for proper reforms of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) have not been addressed. Time after time, athletes’ calls for change have been cast aside or written off as misinformed, despite the fact that athletes are the primary stakeholders and by far the most impacted group when the status quo persists.

Global Athlete is thrilled with today’s launch of The Athletics Association, an independent Track and Field athlete association that will stand for athletes and provide international independent representation.