Tehran, Iran, July 29, 2020: Two-time Olympic gold medal winner Hadi Saei has been chosen as head of Iran’s Athletes’ Commission on Tuesday, July 28.
In the election held at the Olympic Academy headquarters in Tehran, Iran’s taekwondo legend was voted as president of the Athletes’ Commission by winning eight votes, pipping two-time Paralympian gold medallist Zahra Nemati, who won seven votes.
Fencer Mojtaba Abedini will serve as vice president after overcoming the challenge of table tennis player Afshin Norouzi.
Saei, who was appointed as technical director of the Iran Taekwondo Federation in January, is the most decorated Iranian Olympian. He will replace former judo champion Arash Miresmaelli in the post for the next two years.
The 43-year-old Saei won Olympic gold in the men’s 68 kilograms division at Athens 2004 and added a second gold in the 80kg class at Beijing 2008.
He is one of only two Iranians to have won a pair of Olympic golds, alongside weightlifter Hossein Rezazadeh. The bronze medal won by Saei in the 68kg class at Sydney 2000 means he tops the country’s all-time list.
His career also includes two world titles as well as golds at both the Asian Games and Asian Championships.
The Iran Athletes’ Commission has been formed to give a voice to athletes and an equal say in the decision-making process.
Source: Tehran Times