YOG 2010: Israeli team claim Iranian withdrawal was politically motivated

From Tom Reynolds, Sportsbeat, in Singapore

IRANIAN youngster Mohammad Soleimani withdrew from his gold medal taekwondo fight at the Youth Olympic Games after he was scheduled to face an Israeli opponent in the final.

EMPTY GESTURE: Iranian fighter Mohammad Soleimani withdrew from the taekwondo 48kg final at the Youth Olympic Games - Israeli officials claimed the decision was politically motivated (Singapore Press Holdings)

Soleimani looked impressive as he brushed aside American Gregory English in the semi-final of the -48kg category and certainly did not appear injured after completing his victory.

But he didn't return to the mat to take on Israel's Gil Haimovitz, leaving the teenage fighter to walk out - a little embarrassed - to accept his gold on a walkover.

Iranian team officials insisted that Soleimani - who didn't turn up for the medal presentation - was injured during his semi-final but members of the Israeli delegation called the withdrawal politically motivated.  

"We knew that the Iranians would not come out for the final," said Israeli National Olympic Committee spokesman Daniel Oren.

"On one hand, we got the gold medal. It's every exciting for us. On the other hand, we would prefer winning by competing."

Israeli IOC member Alex Gilady also said he doubted Soleimani was injured and needed hospitalisation but IOC communications director Mark Adams claimed: 'my understanding is that he (Soleimani) was taken to hospital and unable to compete.'

Eyewitnesses did see Soleimani leave the venue in an ambulance but Iran have a history of avoiding competition with rivals from Israel.

Iranian Arash Miresmaeili, a two-time world judo champion, refused to compete against Israel's Ehud Vaks in the opening round of Olympic judo competition in Athens, citing solidarity for the Palestinian cause.

At the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing, Iran's wheelchair basketball team forfeited their game against the United States and withdrew from the competition, avoiding a possible match against Israel in the next stage.