Baghdad, Iraq, June 29, 2020: Iraqi weightlifter and two-time Olympian Mohammed Yaseen Mohammed has died from COVID-19, reports the Baghdad Post. He was 57.
Mohammed, who passed away in Sweden on June 24, represented Iraq at the Moscow 1980 and Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games in the 67.5kg and 75kg categories respectively.
Considered one of the best lifters in the Middle East during his prime, Mohammed finished in 17th place at Moscow and sixth at Los Angeles four years later.
International Weightlifting Federation General Secretary Mohammed Jalood, a long-time friend, expressed his sadness.
“I have lost Mohammed Yaseen who was like a brother to me. He will always be remembered as a hero in the Iraqi weightlifting community and will be greatly missed by everyone. I am sending all my condolences to the weightlifting family of Iraq,” Jalood said.
His sixth-place finish at the Los Angeles Olympics was the best in 24 years for Iraq and is yet to be bettered since by an Iraqi weightlifter.
His former weightlifting club, Erbil Club, issued a statement saying: “We extend our deepest condolences and sincere sympathy to the sports community and the family of the deceased Mohammed Yaseen”.
Source: The Baghdad Post