Iran honors Olympic athlete for refusing fight with Israeli

Iran has paid a judo champion who avoided an Olympics match against an Israeli the same prize money as was given to its gold medalists, news agencies have reported. Though Arash Miresmaeli "did not get a gold medal, he earned eternal honor by his refusal," Mahmood Ahmadi Nejad, Tehran's mayor said. Miresmaeli had reportedly said that he would not fight against Ehud Vaks in Athens, in what he called a gesture of sympathy with the Palestinian people. On the day of the fight, Miresmaeili, a favorite in the under-66 kilogram class, was declared overweight and disqualified. Iran does not recognize Israel and bans all contacts with it. Arash Miresmaeli's US$ 125,000 reward was the same the government gave to weightlifter Hossein Rezazadeh and taek-wondo champion Hadi Saei Bonehkohal, who both won gold medals in Athens. By missing his weight, Miresmaeili could claim that there was no political motive and thus avoid sanctions. The International Judo Federation investigated and concluded that he had not missed his weight to avoid the bout. Miresmaeli was world judo champion in 2001 and 2003 and finished fifth at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. He carried the Iranian flag at the opening ceremony in Athens.