Paris, France, August 11, 2024: International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach has welcomed the move to increase female participation at the Olympic Games by the National Olympic Committee of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Bach, who had a private meeting with Iran NOC President Mahmoud Khosravi Vafa, expressed his satisfaction at the presence of female Iranian athletes at the Paris Games, and the noticeable appearance of a woman athlete in the Opening Ceremony.
“Bearing the Iran Flag by a male and female athlete was very much noticed by the International Olympic Committee and the world,” Bach told the Iranian NOC President.
Khosravi Vafa in turn pledged to continue the development of women’s sports in Iran and also said the goal of the NOC was to reach gender parity at future Olympics and on the international stage.
Iran sent a 41-strong squad of athletes – 30 male and 11 female – in 14 sports to Paris The female athletes competed in athletics, archery, rowing, shooting, table tennis and taekwondo.
At the beginning of the meeting, Khosravi Vafa submitted a progress report of the Iran NOC to Bach, and revealed that the national federations of gymnastics, triathlon and cycling had held elections.
Bach also touched on the political tensions in the Middle East and underlined the important role sports had to play in establishing peace and unity.